THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PRO  F.CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


BRAINERD'S    MEMOIRS. 


DAVID  0RAINEED, 

MISSIONARY    TO   THE    INDIANS; 


ABRIDGMENT 


DIARY    AND   JOURNAL. 


FHOM  PRESIDENT    IDWARD8. 


BY    JOHN    STYLES, 

Author  of  an  Essay  on  the  Stnge,  &e. 


Second  American  Edition, 


BOSTOX: 

PUBLISHED  BY  SAMUEL  T.  AKMSTIION€, 
AND    CROCKER    &    BREWSTER, 
No.   50,    CoruhiU. 
1821. 


PREFACE, 


THE  religious  public  are  already  acquainted 
with  a  very  copious  Life  of  David  Brainerd, 
written  by  the  late  President  Edwards,  and 
with  an  abridgment  of  that  performance  by 
the  founder  of  Methodism,  the  Rev.  John 
Wesley.  It  will  therefore  be  expected  that  I 
should  give  some  account  of  the  following 
work,  and  assign  the  reasons  which  induced 
me  to  undertake  it.  The  life  by  Edwards 
has  been  supposed  to  contain  much  unimpor 
tant  and  exuberant  matter,  and  a  too  frequent 
recurrence  of  the  same  things:  this  arose,  no 
doubt,  from  the  worthy  author's  not  using  suf- 
iiciently  the  pruning  knife,  while  preparing  the 
private  diary  of  Mr.  Brainerd  for  the  press. 
As  the  work  is  now  becoming  scarce,  a  re  pub 
lication  was  at  first  proposed.  But  a  learned 
and  excellent  friend,  in  whose  judgment  I  have 
implicit  confidence,  suggested,  that  to  re- 


VI  PREFACE, 


write  the  life,  and  judiciously  to  select  from 
the  original  volume  the  most  important  and  in 
teresting  portions  of  the  diary  and  journal, 
would  be  conferring  upon  the  public  a  real 
benefit^  as  it  would  greatly  reduce  the  book 
both  in  size  and  price,  without  at  all  diminish 
ing  its  intrinsic  worth.  This  task  I  \vas  re 
quested  to  undertake,  and  I  engaged  in  it  the 
more  readily,  as  I  hoped  by  cultivating  a  close 
intimacy  with  the  spirit  of  this  exemplary  mis 
sionary  I  might  greatly  improve  my  own.  At 
this  time  I  was  not  acquainted  with  Mr.  Wes 
ley's  abridgment,  which  therefore  I  thought 
it  necessary  to  peruse,  that  I  might  avoid  en 
gaging  in  a  needless  labor.  By  this  perusal  I 
was  rather  induced  to  proceed  in  my  under 
taking,  than  influenced  to  lay  it  aside:  and 
whatever  imperfections  may  mark  the  present 
volume,  I  can  venture  to  declare,  that  it  is  a 
FAITHFUL  record  of  Brainerd's  PRINCIPLES,  con 
duct,  and  experience  as  a  Christian  and  a  mis 
sionary. 

For  the  materials  I  am  indebted  to  President 
Edwards,  and  for  the  extracts  in  their  abridged 
form,  after  I  had  compared  them  with  the 
original,  I  have  to  express  my  obligations  to 
Mr.  Wesley.  Frequently  I  have  indulged  my- 


Til 


'self  in  reflection  and  remark;  this  perhaps  may 
relieve  and  enliven  the  uniformity  of  narrative. 
I  have  taken  pains  to  render  the  whole  inter 
esting  and  useful,  and  I  trust  that  the  volume 
will  prove  an  acceptable  addition  to  the  devo*- 
tional  library  of  younger  Christians  and  stu 
dents  for  the  ministry.  If  any  thing  will 
quicken  diligence,  animate  zeal,  and  spiritual 
ize  the  affections,  the  diary  and  journal  of  Mr. 
Brainerd  will  not  fail  of  success.  His  CM  !y 
departure  from  the  field  of  labor,  is  an  after,  tiijg 
consideration,  and  may  teach  the  ministers  of 
Christ  the  importance  of  doing  immediately 
whatsoever  their  hands  find  to  do;  we  may 
have  but  little  time  to  live,  and  we  have  mu&fc 
to  perform.  Souls  are  perishing;  every  mo 
ment  they  are  rushing  in  multitudes  to  that 
world  "where  there  is  no  reviving  spirit,  and 
where  the  blood  of  Christ  has  no  efficacy." 

The  remarks  of  President  Edwards,  at  the 
close  of  his  narrative,  form  so  valuable  a  por 
tion  of  his  work,  that  I  could  not  persuade  my 
self  to  close  this  volume  without  subjoining 
them,  somewhat  abridged,  as  an  Appendix. 
His  observations  on  the  "Witness  of  the  Spirit," 
should,  in  this  age  of  antinojnian  delusion,  be 
seriously  read  and  deeply  considered  by  Chris- 


PREFACE. 

tians  of  all  denominations:  and  that  class  in  the 
religious  world,  who  think  themselves  at  the 
farthest  possible  remove  from  the  immoral  in 
fluence  of  antinomian  heresy,  would  do  well  to 
examine  how  far  their  notions  of  distinct  and 
immediate  testimony  have  the  same  tendency 
with  the  principles  of  those  whose  spirit  and 
conduct  they  so  justly  abhor.  The  sentiments 
of  President  Edwards,  on  this  subject,  are  the 
sentiments  of  all  rational  and  consistent  Calvin- 
ists;  and  if  ever  the  preachers  of  this  denomi 
nation  in  the  Christian  church,  abandon  these 
views  of  the  nature  of  Divine  operations  upon 
the  rnind,  they  will  throw  wide  open  the  flood 
gates  of  fanaticism  and  licentiousness. 

j.  a 

West  Cowes,  Isle  of  Wight. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    fc 

His  birth.  His  early  concern  about  religion.  The 
peculiar  exercises  of  his  mind.  His  desire  to  be 
come  a  student  for  the  ministry,  -.  9 

CHAPTER   II. 

•His  going  to  college;  the  state  of  the  college  at  that 
time.  The  revival  there.  Rtligioas  zeal,  The 
danger  of  a  zeal  not  according  to  knowledge. 
Brainerd's  case.  The  painful  result.  The  rector 
and  superiors  of  Yale  college.  Dangerous  to  of 
fend  some  men.  An  unforgiving  spirit.  The  use 
which  a  real  Christian  will  make  of  persecution 
a»)d  hatred,  ..........  19 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER     III. 

His  removal  to  Mr.  Mills'  at  Ripton.  The  prepara 
tory  steps  to  his  becoming  a  preacher,  and  a  mis 
sionary,  »•  -  -  -  -  .  .  -  28 

CHAPTER    IV. 

The  state  of  his  mind  previous  to  entering  upon 
his  great  undertaking.  Probable  reasons  of  his 
dejection  and  mental  exercises.  His  destination  as 
a  missionary.  His  visiting  the  Indians  at  Kaunau- 
meek,  -_.-..  35 

CHAPTER   V. 

The  arduous  nature  of  a  missionary's  word.  Mr. 
Brainerd's  residence  with  the  Indians.  His  method 
of  instructing  them.  The  state  of  his  mind.  His 
success.  His  ordination,  4'4 

CHAPTER   VI. 

Mr.  Brainerd's  return  to  Delaware.  Extracts  from 
his  diary.  His  journies  to  different  places.  His 
preaching  and  success,  as  related  by  himself,  as  far 
as  to  the  close  of  his  first  journey  to  Susquahannah 
river;  another  journey  to  New  England.  Its  ob 
ject.  A  second  journey  to  Susquahannah.  His  re 
turn.  His  arrival  at  Crosweeksung,  74 

CHAPTER    VII. 

Mr.  Brainerd's  reception  at  Crosweeksung.  His 
preaching.  His  journies.  His  amazing  success.  An 
abridgment  of  his  journal,  and  extracts  from  his 
private  diary.  His  illness,  and  return  frem  his  last 
journey  to  Susquahannah,  ----- 


CONTENT*. 


CHAPTER    VJII. 


His  illness.  The  suspension  of  his  labors.  His  jour 
ney  to  New  England.  His  death.  Concluding  re 
flections,  --------  205 


APPENDIX, 


Containing  some  reflections  and  observations  on  the 
memoirs  of  Mr.  Brainerd,  by  President  Edwards, 


THE 


UDPE    OF 


CHAPTER  I. 

His  birth.  His  early  concern  about  religion.  The 
peculiar  exercises  of  his  mind.  His  desire  to  be 
come  a  student  for  the  ministry. 

VARIOUS  are  the  methods  which  wise  and  good 
men  have  employed  in  defence  of  Christianity;  the 
infidel  has  been  assailed  by  a  body  of  evidence, 
which  nothing  but  determined  hostility  to  the 
Christian  cause  could  enable  him  to  resist.  One 
champion  has  chosen  this  weapon,  another  has  pre 
ferred  that:  each  has  been  excellent  of  its  kind, 
and  with  respect  to  its  particular  object,  has  van 
quished  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men.  But  the  vital 
influence  of  Divine  principles  on  the  heart  and  life 
of  a  real  Christian*  is  with  me  an  argument  of 
matchless  power;  which  defends  not  a  fact  or  indi 
vidual  circumstance  only,  but  which  is  an  adaman 
tine  shield  to  the  entire  system.  It  protects  not 
merely  a  single  entrance,  it  renders,  on  every  side, 
the  citadel  secure.  In  this  view,  the  life  of  David 
Brainerd,  the  missionary  of  the  Cross,  has  always 
appeared  to  me  to  contain  the  most  luminous  proofs 
of  the  divine  reality,  and  incalculable  worth  of  the 
Gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ. 

This  distinguished  man,  an  apostle  in  labors  and 
in  "infirmities/7  was  a  descendant  of  pious  and  re- 


10  LIFE    OT   BRAINERD. 

spectable  parents:  he  was  born  at  Haddam,  (Con.) 
April  20,  1718.  From  his  earliest  youth  he  was  re 
markably  serious  and  thoughtful.  His  natural  con 
stitution  was  tinctured  with  melancholy,  which,  not 
withstanding  the  power  and  influence  of  Christianity 
in  his  heart,  often  embittered  his  life,  and  covered  his 
mind  with  a  veil  of  doubt  and  gloom:  against  this 
natural  infirmity  he  had  to  struggle  to  his  dying 
day;  and  when  this  is  considered,  his  abundant  la 
bors,  indefatigable  application,  and  ardent  zeal, 
are  indeed  surprising;  they  forcibly  illustrate  the 
truth  of  the  Divine  promise — "My  strength  is 
made  perfect  in  weakness."  It  does  not  appear 
that  this  excellent  man  was,  by  his  parents,  design 
ed  for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  The  pursuits  of 
husbandry  occupied  his  attention,  and  he  labored 
with  his  hands  for  one  year  upon  his  own  farm  at 
Durham.  But  the  employment  of  a  farmer  was 
not  congenial  with  his  disposition:  his  mind  thirst 
ed  for  intellectual  improvement,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty  he  commenced  a  life  of  study,  attending  at 
the  same  time  with  the  greatest  punctuality  to  the 
duties  of  religion,  in  the  performance  of  which  he 
thought  a  minister,  and  a  candidate  for  the  ministe 
rial  office,  should  be  remarkably  strict;  and  it 
were  to  be  wished,  that  all  who  assume  the  sacred 
character  felt  thus  concerned  to  maintain  its  real 
dignity. 

Perhaps  no  person  ever  presented  a  more  strik 
ing  instance  of  the  subtlety  and  influence  of  a  self- 
righteous  spirit,  and  the  bondage  and  misery  into 
which  it  brings  the  soul,  than  David  Brainerd:  nu 
merous  and  painful  were  his  struggles  with  this 
adversary; — this  was  the  canker-worm  at  the  root 
of  all  his  religion;  and  long  did  he  retain  «1A  secret 
latent  hope  of  recommending  himself  to  God  by  his 
religious  duties.  It  was  no  easy  thing  to  sweep 
away  this  refuge  of  lies;  his  heart  clung  to  it  till  he 
had  been  nearly  involved  in  its  ruins.  Like  a 
drowning  creature,  yet  disdaining  to  accept'any  offer 
of  assistance,  he  made  every  effort  to  reach  the 


OF   BRAINERD.  ll 

shore  in  his  own  strefigth;  and  it  was  not  till  he  was 
"wearied  in  the  greatness  of  his  way,"  till  his  own 
weakness,  and  entire  helplessness  stared  him  in 
the  face,  and  pressed  upon  him  on  every  side,  that 
he  could  say  there  is  no  hope,  "Save,  Lord,  or  I 
perish. 

The  account  which  he  has  himself  given  of  the 
manner  in  which  he  was  brought  to  acquiesce,  with 
all  his  heart,  in  the  Gospel-method  of  salvation,  and 
the  mental  difliculties  with  which  he  struggled  previ 
ous  to  this,  is  striking  and  affecting. 

"I  was,  I  think,  from  my  youth,  something  sober, 
and  inclined  to  melancholy,  but  do  not  remember 
any  conviction  of  sin,  worthy  of  remark,  until  I 
was  seven  or  eight  years  of  age,  when  I  grew  terri 
fied  at  the  thoughts  of  death  and  was  driven  to  the 
performance  of  duties;  this  religious  concern  was 
short-lived.  However,  I  sometimes  attended  secret 
prayer;  and  thus  lived  at  "ease  in  Zion,  though 
without  God  in  the  world,"  till  I  was  above  thir 
teen  years  of  age.  But  in  the  winter,  1732,  I  was 
something  roused  by  the  prevailing  of  a  mortal  sick 
ness  in  Haddam.  I  was  frequent,  constant,  and 
something  fervent,  in  duties,  and  took  delight  in 
reading,  especially  Mr.  Janeway's  "Token  for  Chil 
dren;"  I  was  sometimes  much  melted  in  duties,  and 
took  great  delight  in  the  performance  of  them.  The 
Spirit  of  God  at  this  time  proceeded  far  with  me; 
I  was  remarkably  dead  to  the  world,  and  my 
thoughts  were  almost  wholly  employed  about  my 
soul's  concerns;  I  may  indeed  say,  "Almost  I  was 
persuaded  to  be  a  Christian."  I  was  also  exceed 
ingly  distressed  at  the  death  of  my  mother,  in  March, 
1732.  But  afterwards,  my  religious  concern  declin 
ed,  and  I,  by  degrees,  fell  back  into  security,  though 
I  still  attended  to  secret  prayer. 

"About  the  15th  of  April,  1733,  I  removed  from 
my  father's  house'  to  East-Haddam,  where  1  spent 
four  years*  Here  I  went  in  a  round  of  secret  duty. 
I  was  not  much  addicted  to  young  company;  but 
when  I  did  go  into  it,  1  never  returned  with  so  good 


12  lirE   OF  BRAIN-BED. 

a  conscience  as  I  went;  it  always  added  new  guilt  to 
me,  arid  made  me  afraid  to  come  to  the  throne  of 
grace. 

"About  the  latter  end  of  April,  1737,  being  full 
nineteen,  1  removed  to  Durham,  and  began  to  work 
on  my  farm,  and  so  continued  till  1  was  twenty 
years  old,  though  frequently  longing  .after  a  liberal 
education.  When  I  was  about  twenty,  I  applied  my 
self  to  study,  and  was  engaged  more  than  ever  in  the 
duties  of  religion.  1  became  very  watchful  over  my 
thoughts,  words,  and  actions;  and  thought  I  must  be 
so,  because  I  designed  to  devote  myself  to  the  minis 
try. 

"Some  time  in  April,  1738,  I  went  to  Mr.  Fiske's, 
and  lived  with  him  during  his  life.  And  I  remem 
ber  he  advised  me  wholly  to  abandon  young  com 
pany,  and  associate  myself  with  grave  elderly  peo 
ple:  which  counsel  1  followed;  and  my  manner  of 
life  was  now  exceeding  regular.  I  read  my  Bible 
more  than  twice  through  in  less  than  a  year.  I 
spent  much  time  every  day  in  secret  prayer,  and 
other  secret  duties:  1  gave  great  attention  to  the 
•word  preached,  and  endeavored,  to  my  utmost,  to 
retain  it.  So  much  concerned  was  I  about  religion, 
that  I  agreed  with  some  young  persons  to  meet  pri 
vately  on  Sabbath  evenings  for  religious  exercises; 
and  after  our  meeting  was  ended,  I  used  to  repeat  the 
discourses  of  the  day  to  myself,  and  recollect  that  I 
could,  though  sometimes  it  was  late  in  the  night. 
Again  on  Monday  mornings  1  used  sometimes  to 
recollect  the  same  sermons.  And  1  had  sometimes 
considerable  movings  of  affections  in  duties,  and 
much  pleasure  therein. 

After  Mr.  Fiske's  death,  I  proceeded  in  my  learn 
ing  with  my  brother,  and  was  still  very  constant  in 
religious  duties.  Thus  I  proceeded  on  a  self-right 
eous  foundation,  and  should  still,  had  not  the  mere 
mercy  of  God  prevented. 

"Some  time  in  the  beginning  of  winter,  1738,  it 
pleased  God,  on  one  Sabbath-day  morning,  as  1  was 
walking  out  for  some  secret  duties,  to  give  me  on  a 


LIFE    OF  BRA.IJHSRB.  13 

sudden,  such  a  sense  of  my  danger,  and  the  wrath  of 
God,  that  I  stood  amazed,  and  was  much  distressed 
all  that  day,  fearing  the  vengeance  of  God  would 
soon  overtake  me;  1  kept  much  alone,  and  sometimes 
grudged  the  birds  and  beasts  their  happiness,  because 
they  were  not  exposed  to  eternal  misery,  as  I  saw  I  was. 
And  thus  I  lived,  from  day  to  day,  in  great  distress: 
sometimes  there  appeared  mountains  before  me,  to  ob 
struct  my  hopes  of  mercy;  but  I  used  however  to  pray 
and  cry  to  God;  and  perform  other  duties  with  great 
earnestness. 

"Some  time  in  February,  1738 — 9,  I  set  apart  a 
day  for  secret  fasting  and  prayer,  and  spent  the  day 
in  almost  incessant  cries  to  God  for  mercy,  that  he 
would  open  my  eyes  to  see  the  evil  of  sin,  and  the 
wa^  of  life  by  Jesus  Christ.  And  God  was  pleased 
that  day  to  make  considerable  discoveries  of  iny 
heart  to  me,  and  to  make  my  endeavors  a  means 
to  show  me  my  helplessness  in  some  measure.  I 
constantly  strove  after  whatever  qualifications  I 
imagined  others  obtained  before  the  reception  of 
Christ.  Sometimes  I  felt  the  power  of  an  hard  heart, 
and  supposed  it  must  be  softened  before  Christ 
would  accept  of  me;  and  when  1  felt  any  meltings  of 
heart,  1  hoped  now  the  work  was  almost  done;  and 
hence,  when  my  distress  still  remained,  I  was  wont 
to  murmur  at  God's  dealings  with  me:  and  thought, 
when  others  felt  their  hearts  softened,  God  showed 
them  meroj  but  my  distress  remained  still. 

"Sometimes  I  grew  remiss  and  sluggish,  without 
any  great  convictions  of  sin,  fora  considerable  time 
together:  but  after  such  a  season,  convictions  seized 
me  more  violently.  One  night  in  particular,  when 
J  was  walking  solitarily  abroad,  1  had  such  a  view  of 
my  sin,  that  1  feared  the  ground  would  cleave  asun 
der,  and  send  my  soul  quick  into  hell.  And  though 
I  was  forced  to  go  to  bed,  lest  my  distress  should  be 
discovered  by  others,  which  I  much  feared;  yet  i 
scarce  durst  sleep  at  all,  for  I  thought  it  would  be  a 
great  wonder,  if  I  should  be  out  of  hell  in  the  morning. 
But  though  my  distress  was  thus  great,  yet  i  dread- 


14  1IFE   OF  BRAINERD. 

ed  the  loss  of  convictions,  and  returning  back  to  a 
state  of  security,  and  to  my  former  insensibility  of 
impending  wrath;  which  made  me  exceedingly  exact 
in  my  behavior,  lest  I  should  stifle  the  motions  of 
God's  Spirit. 

"The  many  disappointments  and  distresses  I  met 
\viih,  put  me  into  a  most  horrible  frame  of  contesting 
with  the  Almighty;  with  an  inward  vehemence, 
finding  fault  with  his  ways  of  dealing  with  mankind. 
I  found  great  fault  with  the  imputation  of  Adam's 
sin  to  his  posterity;  and  my  wicked  heart  often 
wished  for  some  other  way  of  salvation  than  by  Je 
sus  Christ.  1  wished  sometimes  there  was  no  God, 
or  that  there  were  some  other  God  that  could  control 
him.  These  thoughts  were  frequently  acted  before 
1  was  aware;  but  when  1  considered  this,  it  distress 
ed  me  to  think,  that  my  heart -was  so  full  of  enmity 
against  God;  and  it  made  me  tremble,  lest  God's 
vengeance  should  suddenly  fall  upon  me.  1  used 
before  to  imagine  my  heart  was  not  so  bad  as  the 
Scriptures  represented.  Sometimes  I  used  to  take 
much  pains  to  work  it  into  an  humble  submissive  dis 
position;  but,  on  a  sudden,  the  thoughts  of  the  strict 
ness  of  the  law,  or  the  sovereignty  of  God,  would 
so  irritate  the  corruptions  of  my  heart,  that  it 
would  break  over  all  bounds,  and  burst  forth  on  all 
sides,  like  floods  of  waters  when  they  break  down 
their  dam. 

"While  I  W7as  in  this  distressed  state  of  mind,  the 
corruption  of  my  heart  was  especially  irritated  with 
these  things  following. 

"1.  The  strictness  of  the  Divine  law.  For  I 
found  it  was  impossible  for  me  (after  my  utmost 
pains)  to  answer  the  demands  of  it.  I  often  made 
resolutions,  and  as  often  broke  them.  I  imputed 
the  whole  to  want  of  being  more  watchful,  and  used 
to  call  myself  a  fool  for  my  negligence.  But  when 
upon  a  stronger  resolution,  and  greater  endeavors, 
fasting  and  prayer,  I  found  all  attempts  fail,  then  I 
Quarrelled  with  the  law  of  God,  as  unreasonably 
vigid.  I  thought,  if  it  extended  only  to  my  outward 


!IFE  OF  BRAINERD.  15 

actions,  I  could  bear  with  it,-  but  I  found  it  condem 
ned  me  for  the  sins  of  my  heart,  which  1  could  not 
possibly  prevent.  1  was  extremely  loath  to  give  out 
and  own  my  own  utter  helplessness;  but  after  repeat 
ed  disappointments,  thought  that,  rather  than  perish, 
I  could  do  a  little  more  still;  especially  if  such  and 
such  circumstances  might  but  attend  my  endeavors; 
1  hoped  that  i  should  strive  more  earnestly  than  ever: 
and  this  hopeol  future  more  favorable  circumstances, 
and  of  doing  something  hereafter,  kepi  me  from  utter 
despair  of  myself,  and  from  seeing  myself  fallen  in 
the  hand  of  God,  and  dependant  on  nothing  but 
boundless  grace. 

"£.  Another  thing  was,  tli&t  faith  alone  was  the 
6ondilion%  of  salvation,  and  that  God  would  not  come 
down  to  lower  terms;  that  he  would  not  promise  life' 
and  salvation  upon  my  sincere  prayers  and  endeav 
ors.  That  word  (Mark  xvi,  16,)  "He  that  be- 
lieveth  not  shall  be  damned,"  cut  off  all  hope  there; 
and  1  found  faith  was  the  gift  of  God;  that  I  could 
not  get  it  of  myself,  and  could  not  oblige  God  to 
bestow  it  upon  me,  by  any  of  my  performances. 
(Eph.  ii,  i,  8.)  This,  1  was  ready  to  say,  *«ls  a 
hard  saying,  who  can  bear  it?"  I  could  not  bear  that 
all  1  had  done  should  stand  for  mere  nothing,  who 
had  been  very  conscientious  in  duty,  and  had  been 
exceedingly  religious  a  great  while,  and  had,  as  I 
thought,  done  much  more  than  many  others  that  had 
obtained  mercy.  1  confessed  indeed  the  vileness  of 
my  duties;  but  then,  what  made  them  at  that  time 
seem  vile,  was  my  wandering  thoughts  in  them;  not 
because  I  was  all  over  defiled,  and  the  principle  cor 
rupt  from  whence  they  flowed,  so  that  I  could  not 
possibly  do  any  thing  that  was  good.  And  there 
fore  1  called  what  1  did  by  the  name  of  faithful  en 
deavors;  and  could  not  bear  it,  that  God  had  made 
no  promises  of  salvation  to  them. 

*  The  word  condition  is  very  alarming  to  the  minds  of  some  good 
people,  but  all  that  Mr.  Braincrd  meant  by  it,  and  many  others  who 
yse  it«  is,  that  there  is  no  salvation  without  faith. 


16  LIFE  OP  liUAINEUD. 

"5.  Another  thing  was,  that  I  could  not  find  out 
how  to  come  to  Christ;  I  read  the  calls  of  Christ, 
made  to  the  weary  and  heavy -laden;  but  could  find 
no  way  that  he  directed  them  to  come  in.  1  thought 
I  would  gladly  come,  if  I  knew  how,  though  the 
path  of  duty  directed  to  was  never  so  difficult.  Mr. 
Stoddard's  Guide  to  Christ  did  not  tell  me  any  thing 
I  could  do,  that  would  bring  me  to  Christ,  but  left 
me,  as  it  were,  with  a  great  gulf  between  me  and 
Christ,  without  any  direction  to  get  through.  For  I 
was  not  yet  experimentally  taught,  that  there  could 
be  no  way  prescribed,  whereby  a  natural  man  could, 
of  his  own  strength,  obtain  that  which  is  supernatural 
and  which  the  highest  angel  cannot  give. 

4<A11  this  time  the  Spirit  of  God  was  powerfully  at 
work  with  me;  and  I  was  inwardly  pressed  to  relin 
quish  all  self-conjidence,  all  hopes  of  ever  helping  my 
self  by  any  means  whatsoever;  and  the  conviction  of 
my  lost  estate  was  sometimes  so  clear,  that  it  was  as 
if  it  had  been  declared  to  me  in  so  many  words,  **It 
is  done;  it  is  for  ever  impossible  to  deliver  yourself." 
For  about  three  or  four  days,  my  soul  was  thus  dis 
tressed,  especially  at  some  turns,  when,  for  a  few 
moments,  I  seemed  to  myself  lost  and  undone;  but 
then  would  shrink  back  immediately  from  the  sight, 
because  I  dared  not  venture  myself  into  the  hands  of 
God  as  wholly  helpless.  I  dared  not  see  that  im 
portant  truth,  that  1  was  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins. 
But  when  I  had  thrust  away  these  views  of  myself  at 
any  time,  I  was  distressed  to  have  the  same  discover 
ies  again;  for  I  greatly  feared  being  given  over  of 
God  to  final  stupidity.  When  I  thought  of  putting 
it  off  to  a  more  convenient  season,  the  conviction  was 
so  powerful,  with  regard  to  the  present  time,  that  it 
was  the  best  time,  arid  probably  the  only  time,  that  I 
dared  not  to  put  it  off.  Yet  my  soul  shrunk  away 
from  it:  I  could  see  no  safety  in  throwing  myself  in 
to  the  hands  of  God,  and  that  I  could  lay  no  claim* to 
any  thing  better  than  damnation. 

"But  after  a  considerable  time  spent  in  such  dis 
tresses,  one  morning,  while  I  was  walking  in  a  soli- 


LIFE  OF   BRAINERD.  17 

tary  place  as  usual,  I  at  once  saw  that  all  my  con 
trivances  ta  procure  salvation  for  myself  were  utterly 
in  rain:  I  was  brought  quite  to  a  stand,  at  finding 
myself  totally  lost.  I  had  thought  many  times,  that 
the  difficulties  were  very  great;  but  now  I  saw  them 
in  a  very  different  light,  that  it  was  for  ever  impos 
sible  for  me  to  do  any  thing  towards  delivering  my 
self.  I  then  thought  of  blaming  myself,  that  I  had 
not  done  more  while  I  had  an  opportunity  (for  it 
seemed  now  as  if  the  season  of  doing  was  for  ever 
over  and  gone;)  but  1  instantly  saw  that  let  me 
have  done  what  I  would,  it  would  no  more  have 
tended  to  my  helping  myself  than  what  I  had  done; 
that  I  had  made  all  the  pleas  1  ever  could  have  made 
to  all  eternity,  and  that  all  my  pleas  were  vain.  The 
tumult  that  had  been  before  in  my  mind  was  now 
quieted;  and  I  was  something  eased  of  that  distress, 
which  I  felt  while  struggling  against  a  sight  of  my 
self.  I  had  the  greatest  certainty  that  my  state  was 
forever  miserable  for  all  that  1  could  do;  and  was 
almost  astonished  that  I  had  never  been  sensible  of 
it  before, 

"In  the  time  while  I  remained  in  this  state  my 
notions  respecting  my  duties,  were  quite  different 
from  what  I  had  entertained  in  times  past.  Now  I 
saw  there  was  no  necessary  connexion  between  my 
prayers  and  the  Divine  mercy:  that  they  laid  not 
the  least  obligation  upon  God  to  bestow  his  grace 
upon  me;  and  that  there  was  no  more  goodness  in 
them  than  there  would  be  in  my  paddling  in  the 
water  (which  was  the  comparison  I  had  then  in  my 
mind:)  and  this  because  they  were  not  performed 
from  any  love  to  God.  I  saw  that  1  had  heaped  up 
my  devotions  before  God,  fasting,  praying,  &c.  real 
ly  thinking  1  was  aiming  at  the  glory  of  God;  where 
as  I  never  once  truly  intended  it. 

"I  continued  in  this  state  of  mind  from  Friday 
morning  till  the  Sabbath  evening  following,  July  12, 
1739,  when  I  was  walking  again  in  the  same  solitary 
place,  and  attempting  to  pray,  but  found  no  heart  to 
engage  in  that,  or  any  other  duty.  Having  been 


18  LIJFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

thus  endeavoring  to  pray  for  near  half  an  hour  (and 
by  this  time  the  sun  was  about  half  an  hour  high,) 
as  1  was  walking  in  a  dark  thick  grove  unspeakable 
glory  seemed  to  open  to  the  view  of  my  soul:  1  do 
not  mean  any  external  brightness,  nor  any  imagina 
tion  of  a  body  of  light,  or  any  thing  of  that  nature; 
but  it  was  a  new  inward  apprehension,  or  view  that 
1  had  of  God,  such  as  I  never  had  before.  I  stood 
still,  and  admired.  I  knew  that  1  had  never  seen  be 
fore  any  thing  comparable  to  it  for  excellency  and 
beauty;  it  was  widely  different  from  all  the  concep 
tions  that  ever  1  had  of  God,  or  things  divine.  I  had 
no  particular  apprehension  of  any  one  person  in  the 
Trinity,  either  the  Father,  the  Son,  or  the  Holy 
Ghost;  but  it  appeared  to  be  divine  glory  that  I  then 
beheld:  and  my  soul  rejoiced  with  joy  unspeakable  to 
see  such  a  glorious  divine  Being;  and  I  was  inward 
ly  pleased  and  satisfied  that  he  should  be  God  over  all 
for  ever  and  ever.  My  soul  was  so  captivated  and 
delighted  with  the  excellency,  loveliness,  greatness, 
and  other  perfections  of  God;  that  I  was  even  swal 
lowed  up  in  him  to  that  degree,  that,  ztjirst,  I  scarce 
reflected  there  was  such  a  creature  as  myself. 

"Thus  God,  I  trust,  brought  me  to  a  hearty  dis 
position  to  exalt  him  and  set  him  upon  the  throne, 
arid  ultimately  to  aim  at  his  honor  and  glory  as  King 
of  the  universe. 

"1  continued  in  this  state  until  near  dark  without 
any  sensible  abatement,  and  then  began  to  think 
what  I  had  seen,  and  was  sweetly  composed  all  the 
evening  following.  I  felt  myself  in  a  new  world, 
and  every  thing  about  me  appeared  with  a  different 
aspect  from  what  it  was  wont  to  do. 

"At  this  time  the  ivay  of  salvation  opened  to  me 
with  such  infinite  wisdom,  suitableness,  and  excel 
lency,  that  I  wondered  1  should  ever  think  of  any 
other  way  of  salvation:  was  amazed  that  1  had  not 
dropped  my  own  contrivances,  and  complied  with 
this  blessed  and  excellent  way  before.  If  f  could 
have  been  saved  by  my  own  duties,  or  any  other  way 
that  1  had  formerly  contrived,  my  whole  soul  would 


LIFE  OF  BRAINERD.  19 

now  have  refused.  I  wondered  that  the  whole  world 
did  not  see  and  comply  with  this  way  of  salvation  en 
tirely  hy  the  righteousness  of  Christ." 


CHAPTER  II. 

is  going  to  college.  The  state  of  the  college  at  that 
time*  The  revival  there.  Religious  zeal.  The 
danger  of  a  %eal  not  according  to  knowledge. 
Brainerd9s  case.  The  painful  result.  The  rector 
and  superiors  of  Yale  College.  Dangerous  to  offend 
some  men.  Jin  unforgiving  spirit.  The  use  which 
a  real  Christian  will  make  of  'persecution  and  hatred. 

THE  most  essential  qualification  for  the  ministerial 
office  is  personal  religion;  and  it  is  justly  expected 
from  the  man  of  God,  that  he  should  he  eminently 
holy.  A  graceless  minister  is  the  most  shocking 
character  in  the  world:  and  a  minister,  whose  re 
ligion  is  doubtful,  whose  spirit  and  conduct  demand 
every  allowance  which  the  most  liberal  Christian 
charity  is  disposed  to  make,  will  never  be  extensive 
ly  useful,  or  exceedingly  happy.  Those  ministers 
who  have  been  "burning  and  shining  lights"  in  the 
world,  have  been  men  taught  of  God,  who  have  seen 
in  their  hearts,  as  in  a  glass,  the  dreadful  depravity  of 
human  nature:  they  have  been  led  through  the  deep 
waters,  and  their  souls  have  been  exercised  with 
severe  spiritual  trials*  An  attentive  observer  will 
easily  perceive  in  the  preceding  account,  which  Mr. 
Brainerd  has  written,  of  the  painful  exercises  of  his 
mind,  and  the  manner  in  which  he  was  led  to  em 
brace  the  Savior,  that  the  Lord  was  preparing  him 
for  great  usefulness;  and  that  he  was  designated,  by 
the  Head  of  the  church,  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the 
poor;  to  heal  the  broken  in  heart;  and  to  open  the 
prison  to  them  that  are  bound.  That  this  was  to  be 
liis  delightful  employment  he  was  himself  convinced; 
and  in  the  beginning  of  September,  1739,  when  he 


20  XIFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

was  a  little  more  than  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he 
entered  himself  as  a  graduate  at  Yale  College,  in 
New  Haven.  Previous  to  this,  as  his  diary  just 
quoted  informs  us,  he  had  spent  some  time  with  Mr. 
Fiske  his  pastor  and  friend;  and  after  his  death, 
with  his  brother;  and  was  thus,  in  some  measure, 
prepared  for  the  studious  employment  of  a' college 
life.  But  how  different  is  the  situation  upon  which 
our  young  friend  now  entered,  from  that  which  he  re 
cently  left.  Yale  i'oliege,  when  it  was  honored  with 
Brainerd  as  a  student,  was  certainly  not  very  em 
inent  for  the  personal  religion  of  its  sons;  indeed, 
constituted  as  most  colleges  are,  in  which  personal 
experimental  religion  is  not  the  "Sine  qua  non"  of 
admission,  they  must  sometimes  reckon  among  their 
members  the  gay  and  the  fashionable,  the  thoughtless 
and  the  vain;  and  when  there  is  not  religious  princi 
ple  to  restrain  from  vice,  the  natural  propensities  of 
the  human  heart  w7ill,  in  spite  of  legal  strictness  and 
discipline,  sometimes  be  gratified;  and  the  contagious 
breath  of  iniquity  sometimes  inhaled.  At  his  first 
going  to  college,  and  during  his  residence  there,  the 
righteous  soul  of  Brainerd  was  grieved:  and  per 
haps  the  folly  he  was  daily  witnessing  around  him 
had  no  small  share  in  depressing  his  animal  spirits, 
and  feeding  the  melancholy  which  too  often  preyed 
upon  his  mind.  Surrounded  as  he  was  by  these 
temptations,  however,  he  caught  none  of  their  influ 
ence.  In  this  unfavorable  situation  he  was  enabled 
to  maintain  the  life  of  religion  in  his  own  soul,  and  his 
holy  deportment  had  a  tendency  to  suppress  levity 
and  sin  in  his  fellow  students: — happy  the  man  who 
thus  lives  and  acts  while  at  a  university  college,  or  a 
dissenting  academy;  he  prevents  a  thousand  stings 
of  conscience,  and  his  future  ministry  is  not  clogged, 
nor  his  life  embittered  by  the  sigh  of  painful  recol 
lection.  Let  students  in  general  compare  their 
college  diary  with  Brainerd's  and  be  humbled. 

«In  January,  1739-40,  the  measles  spread  much  in 
college,  and  1  having  taken  the  distemper  went 
home  to  Haddam,  But  some  days  before  I  was 


LIFE    OF   BRAINEIU). 

taken  sick,  my  soul  mourned  the  absence  of  Hie 
Comforter:  it  seemed  to  me  all  comfort  was  gone;  I 
cried  to  God,  yet  found  no  relief.  But  a  night  or 
two  before  I  was  taken  ill,  while  I  was  walking 
alone,  and  engaged  in  meditation  and  prayer,  I  en 
joyed  a  jsweet  refreshing  visit  from  above,  so  that 
my  soul  was  raised  far  above  the  fear  of  death.  O 
how  much  more  refreshing  this  one  season  was  than 
all  the  pleasures  that  earth  can  afford!  After  a  day 
or  two,  I  was  taken  with  the  measles,  and  almost 
despaired  of  life,  but  had  no  distressing  fears  of 
death.  However,  1  soon  recovered;  yet,  by  reason 
of  hard  studies,  I  had  little  time  for  spiritual  duties; 
my  soul  often  mourned  for  want  of  more  time  and 
opportunity  to  be  alone  with  God:  in  the  spring  and 
summer  following,  I  had  better  advantages  for  retire 
ment,  and  enjoyed  more  comfort;  though  indeed  my 
ambition  in  my  studies  greatly  wronged  the  vigor  of 
my  spiritual  life;  yet,  *in  the  multitude  of  my 
thoughts  within  me,  God's  comforts  delighted  my 
soul.' 

"One  day  in  particular  (in  June,  1740,)  I  walked 
in  the  fields  alone,  and  found  such  unspeakable  sweet 
ness  in  God,  that  I  thought,  if  1  must  continue  still 
in  this  evil  world,  I  wanted  always  to  be  there  to  be 
hold  God's  glory:  my  soul  dearly  loved  all  mankind, 
and  longed  exceedingly  that  they  should  enjoy  what 
I  enjoyed. — Lt  seemed  to  be  a  little  resemblance  of 
heaven. 

"In  August  following,  I  became  so  disordered,  by 
too  close  application  to  my  studies,  that  I  was  ad 
vised  by  my  tutor  to  go  home,  arid  disengage  my 
mind  from  study  as  much  as  I  could,  for  I  began  to 
spit  blood.  I  took  his  advice,  but  being  brought 
very  low,  I  looked  death  in  the  face  more  steadfastly; 
the  Lord  was  pleased  to  &ive  me  a  sweet  relish  of 
divine  things,  and  my  soul  took  delight  in  the  bless 
ed  God. 

"Saturday,    October  18.     In  my  morning  devo 
tions,  my  soul  was  exceedingly  mejted  for,  and  bit 
terly   mourned  over,  my  exceeding  sinfulness  and 
3 


22  LIFE    01'  BRAINEHD. 

vileuess.  I  never  before  felt  so  deep  a  sense  of  the 
odious  nature  of  sin.  MY  soul  was  then  unusually 
carried  forth  in  love  to  God,  and  had  a  lively  sense 
of  God's  love  tw  me.  And  this  love  and  hope  cast 
out  fear. 

"October  19.  In  the  morning,  I  felt  my  soul 
hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness.  In  the 
forenoon,  while  I  was  looking  on  the  sacramental 
elements,  and  thinking  that  Jesus  Christ  would  soon 
be  <Set  forth  crucified  before  me,'  my  soul  was  filled 
with  light  and  love,  so  that  I  was  almost  in  an  ecsta 
sy;  my  body  was  so  weak  I  could  hardly  stand.  I 
felt  at  the  same  time  an  exceeding  tenderness,  and 
most  fervent  love,  towards  all  mankind;  so  that  my 
s  ;ul,  and  all  the  powers  of  it,  seemed^  as  it  were,  to 
melt  into  softness  and  sweetness.  This  love  and 
joy  cast  out  fear,  and  my  soul  longed  for  perfect 
grace  and  glory. 

"Tuesday,  October  21.  I  hsd  likewise  experience 
of  the  goodness  of  God  in  'shedding  abroad  his 
Jove  in  my  heart,'  and  all  the  remaining  part  of  the 
week  my  soul  was  taken  up  with  divine  things.  1 
now  so  longed  after  God,  and  to  be  freed  from  sin, 
that,  w  hen  I  felt  myself  recovering,  and  thought  I 
must  return  to  college  again,  which  had  proved  so 
hurtful  to  me  the  year  past,  1  could  not  but  be 
grieved,  and  I  thought  1  had  much  rather  have  died; 
but  before  I  went,  I  enjoyed  several  other  sweet  and 
precious  seasons  of  communion  with  God,  wherein 
my  soul  enjoyed  unspeakable  comfort. 

"I  returned  to  college  about  November  6,  and 
through  the  goodness  of  God  felt  the  power  of  re 
ligion  almost  daily. 

"November  28.  I  enjoyed  precious  discoveries  of 
God,  and  was  unspeakably  refreshed  with  that  pas 
sage,  Hcb.  xii,  22,  23,  24,  so  that  my  soul  longed  to 
wing  away  for  the  paradise  of  God;  1  longed  to  be 
conformed  to  God  in  all  things. 

"Tuesday,  December  9.  God  was  pleased  won 
derfully  to  assist  and  .strengthen  me,  so  that  I 
thought  nothing  should  ever  move  me  from  the  love 


1IFE    OF    BRAINERD.  23 

of  Got!  in  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord. — 0!  one  hour  with 
God  infinitely  exceeds  all  the  pleasures  of  this  lower 
world." 

Let  it  not  be  supposed,  while  this  heavenly  young 
man  was  cherishing  in  his  bosom  the  ardent  llame  of 
divine  love,  that  he  was  a  negligent  student  of  litera 
ture  and  theology: — no,  while  he  was  superior  to  all 
in  personal  religion,  he  yielded  to  none  in  his  ardor 
after  literary  and  valuable  attainments:  indeed  he 
mourns  over  "ambition  in  his  studies  as  his  most 
easily  besetting  sin;"  and  this  is  never  the  sin  of  the 
negligent,  or  the  idle;  it  is  the  fault  of  an  active 
mind,  which,  from  its  natural  temperature,  indulges 
to  excess  in  a  laudable  pursuit;  too  strong  an  attach 
ment,  even  to  the  sciences  and  literature,  may  prove 
injurious  to  the  growth  of  vital  holiness:  but  the  in 
dolent  and  trifling  are  in  no  danger  from  tins  quar 
ter:  yet  if  firainerd  erred  it  was  in  this;  for  he  com 
plains  that  he  grew  more  cold  and  dull  in  matters  of 
religion  by  means  of  this,  which  he  calls  his  4<old 
temptation."  Thus  it  is  evident,  that,  while  his 
religion  was  cultivated,  the  great  business  of  his 
studies  was  not  neglected:  it  is  a  great  blessing  when 
the  "metron  ariston,"  the  golden  mean,  can  be  pre 
served:  but  in  every  thing  there  is  danger;  "hold 
thou  me  up,  and  I  shall  be  safe,"  should  be  the 
prayer  of  every  Christian,  and  especially  of  every 
minister. 

About  this  period,  the  light  which  had  shown  with 
so  much  brightness  in  the  British  churches,  darted 
its  rays  across  the  vast  Atlantic,  and  gladdened  with 
its  genial  influence  the  American  churches.  WHITE- 
FIELD,  who  was  for  no  country,  but  a  world,  who 
pitied  the  miserable  of  every  clime,  and  felt  divine 
compassion  for  (he  whole  family  of  man;  whose  ca 
pacious  soul,  filled  with  a  Redeemer's  love,  traversed 
in  idea  every  region  of  the  earth;  and  which  actual 
ly  accomplished  more  than  the  most  sanguine  im 
agination  could  suppose  it  was  in  the  power  of  hu 
manity  to  grasp.  WIIITEFIELD,  the  glory  of  the 
church  in  modern  times,  rushed  with  eagerness,  im- 


54  11-FE    OF   BRAINERD. 

pelled  by  celestial  zeal,  to  disperse  the  gloom,  and 
moral  darkness  which  covered  America.  The  plain 
tive  call  of  misery — "Come  over  and  help  us,"  thrill 
ed  through  his  heart:  he  obeyed  the  summons. 
America,  thou  canst  tell  with  what  success. 

With  other  places  visited  by  this  astonishing  man, 
Yale  College,  and  !New  Haven  can  witness  the 
amazing  power  and  efficacy  of  the  word  of  truth  ut 
tered  by  him.  As  an  instrument  in  the  divine  hand, 
he  inspired  new  life  into  the  students,  who  were 
growing  dull  and  lukewarm,  and  awakened  and 
roused  others  who  never  felt  before.  The  labors  of 
this  eminent  servant  of  God,  with  those  of  another, 
who  had  imbibed  his  spirit  (Mr.  Tennent,)  carried 
on,  for  it  was  before  partially  begun,  what  is  called 
in  America  to  this  day  "the  revival."  A  general 
reformation,  and  deep  seriousness,  pervaded  the 
various  ranks  of  society.  Yale  College  now  pre 
sented  a  new  and  different  scene,  and  there  was  an 
almost  universal  inquiry  among  the  heretofore  care 
less  and  indifferent,  "What  must  we  do  to  be  saved?" 
O  with  what  delight,  and  with  what  earnestness  did 
Brainerd  visit  his  fellow  students;  how  sweetly  and 
solemnly  did  he  help  forward  by  conversation  and 
prayer  the  work  of  God.  Dr.  Hopkins  who  was  at 
college  with  him,  has  left  a  testimony  of  his  zeal  and 
brotherly-kindness  in  the  memoirs  of  his  own  life, 
extracts  from  which  were  published  in  the  Evangel 
ical  Magazine  for  May,  1806.  "The  persons  who 
thus  distinguished  themselves  in  zeal  (that  is,  in 
visiting  the  students  for  conversation  and  prayer) 
were  two  of  them  my  classmates,  Buells  and  Youngs, 
the  other  vvas  David  Brainerd." 

We  are  now  drawing  near  an  important  sera  in 
JJrainerd's  history;  and  we  are  about  to  transcribe 
a  page  upon  which,  in  the  course  of  his  life,  he  fre 
quently  dropped  the  silent  tear  of  sorrow  and  bitter 
regret;  but  a  page  which  his  unfeeling  persecutors 
must  have  read  with  the  blush  of  conscious  shame. 
It  is  the  page  which  narrates  his  expulsion  from  col 
lege,  and  the  cause  which  produced  it. 


LIFE    OF    BRAINERD.  25 

We  must  not  be  surprised,  it'  on  closely  investigat 
ing  the  best  human,  character,  tiie  delightful  vision 
be  sometimes  crossed  with  a  cloud,  or  the  finished 
picture  marred  \vith  a  blemish.  In  a  young  man 
let  us  not  expect  that  knowledge  of  his  own  heart, 
and  of  the  world,  which,  if  we  have  patience  with 
him,  he  may  discover  in  maturcr  years.  That 
Brainerd  was  eminently  pious,  and  exceedingly 
zealous,  who  will  question?  That  his  zeal  some 
times  carried  him  beyond  the  bounds  of  prudence, 
was  his  misfortune,  and  in  a  great  measure  proceed 
ed  from  the  circumstances  in  which  he  was  placed. 
It  is  exceedingly  difficult,  for  young  persons  espec 
ially,  to  distinguish  ihe  wildfire  of  the  passions,  from 
the  lambent  flame  of  that  holy  zeal,  which  is  lighted 
at  the  altar  of  divine  love;  and  it  is  not  mifrequently 
the  case,  that  these  two  tilings,  so  different  in  their 
nature,  are  blended  in  the  same  heart.  We  have 
reason  to  suspect  that  our  zeal  is  adulterated  with 
this  corrupt  mixture,  if  it  border  on  uncharitable- 
ness;  if  it  incline  us  to  make  our  frames  and  feelings 
the  standard  of  all  true  experimental  religion. 
There  is  more  spiritual  pride  in  this  than'we  are  at 
first  aware;  we  should  ever  remember,  that  the  di 
vine  flame  of  zeal  in  this  resembles  the  natural 
flame,  the  higher  it  rises  the  more  it  trembles.  In 
the  general  revival  of  religion,  of  which  we  have 
already  spoken,  some  tares  of  a  mistaken  zeal  grew 
up  with  the  wheat;  and  Brainerd  was  not  wholly  free 
from  their  influence.  The  manner  in  which  he  dis 
played  his  imprudent  ardor,  and  its  consequences, 
are  thus  related  by  his  biographer,  Jonathan  Ed 
wards,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches. 

"In  the  time  of  the  awakening  at  college,  several 
students  associated  themselves,  who  were  wont  free 
ly  to  open  themselves  one  to  another,  Mr.  Brainerd 
was  one  of  this  company.  And  it  once  happened, 
that  he  and  two  or  three  more  of  these  his  intimate 
friends,  were  in  the  hall  together,  after  Mr.  Whittel- 
sey,  one  of  the  tutors,  had  been  to  prayer  there  with 
the  scholars:  no  other  person  now  remaining  in  the 


$6  LIFE    OF   BKA1NERD. 

hall,  but  Mr.  Braincrd  and  these  his  companions. 
Mr.  \Vhittelsey  having  been  unusually  pathetical  in 
his  prayer,  one  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  Mends  asked  him 
what  he  thought  of  Mr.  Whittelsey;  he  made  an 
swer,  "He  has  no  more  grace  than  this  chair."  One 
happening  at  that  time  to  be  near  the  hall  overheard 
those  words,  though  he  heard  no  name  mentioned, 
and  knew  not  who  the  person  was,  which  was  thus 
censured;  he  informed  a  certain  woman,  who  went 
and  informed  the  rector,  who  sent  for  the  man  and 
examined  him;  and  he  told  the  rector  the  words  that 
he  heard  Brainerd  utter,  and  informed  him  who  were 
in  the  room  with  him  at  that  time.  Upon  which  the 
rector  sent  for  them;  they  were  very  backward  to 
inform  against  their  friend,  of  that  which  they  looked 
upon  as  private  conversation,  yet  the  rector  com 
pelled  them  to  declare  what  he  said,  and  of  whom 
he  said  it. — Brainerd  thought,  that  what  he  said  in 
private,  was  injuriously  extorted  from  his  friends, 
and  that  it  was  injuriously  required  of  him  to  make 
a  public  confession,  before  the  whole  college  in  the 
hall,  for  what  he  said  only  in  private  conversation. — 
He  not  complying  with  this  demand,  and  having  gone 
once  to  the  separate  meeting  at  New  Haven,  when 
forbidden  by  the  rector,  and  also  having  been  ac 
cused  of  saying  concerning  the  rector,  that  he  won 
dered  he  did  not  expect  to  drop  down  dead  for  fine- 
ing  the  scholars  who  followed  Mr.  Tennent  to  Mil- 
ford,  though  there  was  no  proof  of  it,  (and  Mr. 
Brainerd  ever  professed  that  he  did  not  remember 
his  saying  any  thing  to  that  purpose;)  he  was  expel 
led  the  college." 

The  circumstances  of  this  expulsion  are  peculiarly 
disgraceful  to  the  college,  and  exhibit  the  tutors  in 
no  very  favorable  point  of  view$  a  junior  studen1,hav ing 
acquired  the  infernal  trick  of  tale-bearing,  communi 
cated  what  he  had  over  heard  in  a  private  conversation: 
and  the  tutors,  as  if  on  the  alert  to  seize  the  victim, 
instantly  called  together  the  gentlemen,  the  partic 
ular  friends  of  Hrainerd,  and  wrest  from  them  by 
'hreats,  the  ill-fated  sentence,  with  its  application, 


ilFE    OF   BJIAINEIII).  27 

and  then  proceed  against  its  author,  as  against  a 
"thief  and  a  robber."  !  pity  thti  students  who  couid 
be  awed  by  the  threats  of  such  men,  to  disclose  the 
subject  of  a  familiar  conversation;  above  all  1  pity 
the  meanness  of  these  "little  governors/'  which 
involved  them  in  the  guilt  of  a  transaction  so  dishon 
orable  and  base.  And  on  the  above  account,  I  would 
only  remark,  that  if  the  circumstances  and  exigen 
cies  of  the  college  at  that  time,  justified  the  severity 
of  the  superiors,  on  what  principles  of  Christian 
charity  and  kindness  are  we  to  account  for  their  sub 
sequent  and  persevering  hostility  to  a  man,  who  sin 
ned  but  once,  and  that  in  word  only;  and  whose 
whole  life  was  so  blameless,  so  holy,  that  the  ene 
mies  of  religion,  as  well  as  its  friends,  pronounce 
him  blessed.  Some  men  are  deadly  in  their  hate, 
and  so  marvellously  wise,  that  they  can  decide  on  a 
man's  character  from  one  or  two  words  and  actions; 
and  though  the  whole  tenor  of  his  general  spirit  and 
conduct  for  ever  gives  the  lie  to  their  conclusion, 
their  decision  is- like  the  law  of  the  Mcdes  and  Per 
sians,  which  attereth  not:  for  such  persons  to  forgive 
an  offending  brother  seven  times,  would  be  tor 
ture  little  less  than  crucifixion,  and  as  for  the 
"seventy  times  seven,"  it  is  one  of  the  passages 
they  would  willingly  blot  from  the  book  of  God. 
My  soul,  come  not  thou  into  their  secret,  unto  their 
assembly  mine  honor  be  not  thou  united.  Brainerd 
had  infinitely  the  ad  vantage  t)f  these  cruel  governors; 
from  the  eater  he  extracted  honey,  and  from  their 
persevering  opposition  he  learnt  a  lesson  of  prudence; 
he  was  more  weaned  from  the  world,  more  en 
tirely  devoted  to  God,  and  his  work  as  a  missionary 
of  Jesus,  And  this  is  the  improvement  which  every 
good  man  will  make  of  unfeeling  persecution  and 
hostility. 


28  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 


CHAPTER  III. 

His  removal  to  Mr.  Mills9 s9  at  Ripton.  The  prepara 
tory  steps  to  fits  becoming  apreacfier  and  a  mission 
ary. 

THE  life  of  a  student,  is  not  the  field  in  which  the 
philosopher  or  the  curious  will  range  to  collect  ob- 
servatioHs  on  the  human  character,  or  materials  for 
pleasure.  From  a  general  barrenness  of  incidents 
to  seize  the  attention  and  captivate  the  mind,  it  ap 
pears  insipid  and  destitute  of  interest.  From  the 
month  of  April,  1742,  to  the  July  following,  Mr. 
Brainerd  was  a  recluse;  his  examination  and  license 
to  preach,  and  his  examination  by  the  correspond 
ents  of  the  society  for  promoting  Christian  knowl 
edge,  and  his  appointment  to  be  their  missionary, 
were  the  only  active  scenes  in  which  he  was  en 
gaged.  These  were  certainly  events  of  considera 
ble  importance  to  him;  and  he  would  consider  the 
year  in  which  they  occurred  as  a  very  memorable 
period  of  his  life.  On  his  expulsion  from  college 
lie  became  a  resident  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mills,  of 
Ripton;  and  under  this  gentleman  pursued  those 
studies  which,  from  his  persecution,  had  suffered  a 
temporary  interruption.-  His  diary,  at  this  period, 
discloses  the  heart  of  ^  missionary;  and  we  here 
discover  the  first  ardent  breathings  of  his  soul  for 
the  conversion  of  the  heathen.  From  it  we  also 
learn,  that  an  unsuccessful  effort  was  made  by  his 
friends  to  restore  him  to  college,  and  to  reinstate 
him  in  the  enjoyment  of  its  privileges.  This  dis 
appointment  he  must  have  severely  felt,  as  he  was 
soon  to  have  taken  his  degree,  and  would  have  been 
the  first  of  a  very  numerous  class.  The  spirit  in 
which  he  narrates  this  mortifying  circumstance,  and 
the  state  of  his  mind  in  reference  to  the  event  of  his 
expulsion,  exhibit  him  in  a  very  interesting  point  of 
view;  and  we  cannot  but  pity  the  man 


LIFE   OF   BRAINERD.  29 

could  suffer  him  to  be  the  enemy  of  David  Brainerd. 
— The  following  extracts  must  he  interesting. 

"Tuesday,  April  6.  I  cried  to  God  to  wash  my 
soul,  and  cleanse  me  from  my  exceeding  filthiness. 
And  I  cuuld  think  of  undergoing  the  greatest  suffer 
ings  with  pleasure;  and  found  myself  willing  (if  God 
should  so  order)  to  suffer  banishment  from  my  na 
tive  land,  among  the  heathen,  that  I  might  do  some 
thing  for  their  salvation,  in  distresses  and  deaths  of 
any  kind-  Then  God  gave  me  to  wrestle  earnestly 
for  others,  for  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  world, 
and  for  my  dear  Christian  friends.  I  felt  myself 
weaned  from  the  world,  and  from  my  own  reputa 
tion,  willing  to  be  despised,  and  to  be  a  gazing-stock 
for  the  world.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  express 
what  I  then  felt:  1  had  not  much  joy,  but  a  sense  of 
the  majesty  of  God,  which  made  me  tremble:  I  saw 
myself  mean  and  vile,  which  made  me  more  willing 
that  God  should  do  what  he  would  with  me;  it  was  all 
infinitely  reasonable. 

"Thursday,  April  8.  1  had  hopes  respecting  the 
heathen.  O  that  God  would  bring  in  numbers  of 
them  to  Christ!  I  cannot  but  hope  I  shall  see  that 
glorious  day.  Every  thing  in  this  world  seems  ex 
ceeding  vile  and  little  to  me;  I  look  so  myself. 

"Monday,  April  12.  This  morning  the  Lord  was 
pleased  to  lift  up  the  light  of  his  countenance  upon 
me  in  secret  prayer,  and  made  the  season  very  pre 
cious  to  my  soul.  I  felt  myself  exceeding  calm,  and 
quite  resigned  to  God  respecting  my  future  employ 
ment,  when  and  where  he  pleased":  my  faith  lifted 
me  above  the  world,  and  removed  all  those  moun 
tains,  that  I  could  not  look  over  of  late:  1  wanted 
not  tiie  favor  of  men  to  lean  upon;  for  I  knew 
Christ's  favor  was  infinitely  better,  and  tiiat  it  was  no 
matter  when  and  where  nor  how  Christ  should  send 
me,  nor  what  trials  he  should  exercise  rne  with,  if  I 
might  be  prepared  for  his  work  and  will.  I  now 
found  sweetly  revived  in  my  mind  the  wonderful  dis 
covery  of  infinite  wisdom  in  all  the  dispensations  of 
God  towards  me,  which  I  had  a  little  before  1  met 


SO  LIFE    OF    BRAINERD. 

with  my  great  trial  at  college:  every  thing  appear 
ed  full  of  the  wisdom  of  God. 

"Wednesday,  April  14.  My  soul  longed  for  com- 
munion  with  Christ,  and  for  the  mortification  of  in 
dwelling  corruption,  especially  spiritual  pride.  O 
there  is  a  sweet  day  coming,  wherein  "the  weary 
will  be  at  rest!"  My  soul  has  enjoyed  much  sweet 
ness  this  day  in  the  hopes  of  its  speedy  arrival. 

"Thursday,  April  15.  My  desires  centered  in 
God,  and  I  found  a  sensible  attraction  of  soul  after 
him;  I  long  for  God,  and  a  conformity  to  his  will,  in 
inward  holiness,  ten  thousand  times  more  than  for 
any  tiling  here  below. 

"Lord's  day,  April  18.  I  retired  early  this  morn 
ing  into  the  woods  for  prayer,  and  was  enabled  to 
plead  with  fervency  for  the  advancement  of  Christ's 
kingdom.  At  night,  I  saw  myself  infinitely  indebt 
ed  to  God,  and  had  a  view  of  my  short  comings:  it 
seemed  to  me,  that  1  had  done  nothing  for  God;  and 
that  I  had  lived  to  him  but  a  few  hours  of  my  life. 

"Monday,  April  19.  Iset  apart  this  day  for  fast 
ing  and  prayer  to  God  for  his  grace,  to  prepare  rne 
for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  in  his  own  time 
to  send  me  into  his  harvest.  I  felt  a  power  of  in 
tercession  for  the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of 
my  dear  Lord:  and  withal,  a  sweet  resignation,  and 
even  joy,  in  the  thoughts  of  suffering  hardships, 
distresses,  yea,  death  itself,  in  the  promotion  of  it. 
In  the  afternoon,  "God  was  with  me  of  a  truth." 
O,  it  was  blessed  company  indeed!  God  enabled 
me  so  to  agonize  in  prayer,  that  I  was  quite  wet 
with  sweat,  though  in  the  shade,  and  the  wind  cool. 
My  soul  was  drawn  out  very  much  for  the  world;  I 
grasped  for  multitudes  of  souls.  I  had  more  en 
largement  for  sinners  than  for  the  children  of  God, 
though  I  felt  as  if  I  could  spend  my  life  in  cries  for 
both.  I  never  felt  such  an  entire  weaned  ness  from 
this  world,  and  so  much  resigned  to  God  in  every 
thing.  O  that  I  may  always  live  to  and  upon  my 
blessed  God. 


LIFE    OF   BRAINEUD. 

"Tuesday,  April  £0.  This  day  I  am  twenty-four 
years  of  age.  O  how  much  mercy  have  I  received 
the  year  past!  How  often  has  God  « Caused  his 
goodness  to  pass  before  im !'  And  how  poorly  have 
1  answered  the  vows  I  made  this  time  twelve-month 
to  be  wholly  the  Lord's;  to  be  forever  devoted  to  his 
service!  The  Lord  help  me  to  live  more  to  his 
glory.  This  has  been  a  sweet  day  to  me — blessed 
be  God.  1  think  my  soul  was  never  so  drawn  out 
in  intercession  for  others.  I  had  a  fervent  wrestle 
with  the  Lord  for  my  enemies;  and  I  hardly  ever  so 
longed  to  live  to  God,  and  to  be  altogether  devoted  to 
him. 

"Lord's-day,  April  25.  This  morning  spent 
about  two  hours  in  secret,  and  was  enabled,  more 
than  ordinarily,  to  agonize  for  immortal  souls: 
though  it  was  early  in  the  morning,  and  the  sun 
scarcely  shined  at  all,  yet  my  body  was  quite  wet 
with  sweat.  Felt  myself  much  pressed,  frequently  of 
Jate,  to  plead  for  the  meekness  and  calmness  of  the 
Lamb  of  God.  0,  it  is  a  sweet  disposition,  heartily 
to  forgive  all  injuries,  to  wish  our  greatest  enemies 
as  well  as  we  do  our  own  souls!  Blessed  Jesus,  may 
I  daily  be  more  and  more  conformed  To  thee!  At 
night  was  exceedingly  melted  with  divine  love,  and 
had  a  sense  of  the  blessedness  of  the  upper  world. 
Those  words  hung  upon  me  with  much  sweetness, 
Psal.  Ixxxiv,  7.  "They  go  from  strength  to  strength, 
every  one  of  them  in  Zion  appeareth  before  God." 
O  the  near  access  that  God  sometimes  gives  us  in  our 
addresses  to  him!  This  may  well  be  termed  appear 
ing  before  Goa;  it  is  so  indeed,  in  the  true  spiritual 
sense.  1  have  not  had  such  power  of  intercession 
these  many  months,  both  for  God's  children,  and  for 
dead  sinners.  I  longed  fftr  the  coming  of  my  dear 
Lord:  I  longed  to  join  the  angelic  hosts  in  praises, 
wholly  free  from  imperfection.  ()  the  blessed  mo 
ment  hastens!  All  f  want  is  to  be  more  hoiy,  more 
like  m-y  dear  Lord.  O  for  sancti h* cation'!  My  very 
soul  pants  for  the  complete  restoration  of  the  blessed 
image  of  my  Savior;  that  I  may  be  fit  for  the  bless- 


32  1IFE    OE   BRAINERB. 

ed  enjoyments  and  employments   of   the  heavenly 
world. 

"Wednesday,  28.  I  withdrew  to  my  usual  place  of 
retirement,  in  great  peace  and  tranquillity,  and  spent 
above  two  hours  in  secret.  I  seemed  to  hang 
wholly  on  my  dear  Lord;  wholly  weaned  from  all 
other  dependencies.  I  knew  not  what  to  say  to  my 
God,  hut  only  lean  on  his  bosom  as  it  were,  and 
breathe  out  my  desires  after  perfect  conformity  to 
him  in  all  things.  Thirsting  desires,  and  insatiable 
longings,  possessed  my  soul  after  perfect  holiness; 
God  was  so  precious  to  my  soul  that  the  world,  with 
all  its  enjoyments,  was  infinitely  vile;  1  had  no  more 
value  for  the  favor  of  men  than  for  pebbles:  the 
Lord  was  my  all;  and  he  overruled  all:  which  great 
ly  delighted  me.  1  think  my  faith  and  dependance 
on  God  scarce  ever  rose  so  high.  I  saw  him  such  a 
fountain  of  goodness:  that  it  seemed  impossible  I 
should  distrust  him  again,  or  be  any  way  anxious 
about  any  thing  that  should  happen  to  me.  In  the 
evening  my  heart  seemed  sweetly  to  melt,  and  was 
humbled  for  indwelling  corruption,  and  1  mourned 
like  a  dove.  I  felt  that  all  my  unhappiness  arose 
rom  my  being  a  sinner;  for,  with  resignation,  I 
could  welcome  all  other  trials;  but  sin  hung  heavy 
upon  me:  for  God  discovered  to  me  the  corruption  of 
my  heart;  so  that  I  went  to  bed  with  a  heavy  heart, 
because  I  was  a  sinner:  though  I  did  not  in  the 
least  doubt  of  God's  love.  O  that  God  would  'purge 
away  all  my  dross,  and  take  away  my  tin.' 

"April  30  Nothing  grieves  me  so  much,  as  that 
I  cannot  live  constantly  to  God's  glory.  I  could 
bear  any  spiritual  conflicts,  if  I  had  but  my  heart  all 
the  while  burning  within  me,  with  love  to  God.  For 
when  I  feel  tltis  1  cannot  Be  dejected,  hut  only  rejoice 
in  my  Savior,  who  has  delivered  me  from  the  reign 
ing  power,  and  will  shortly  deliver  me  from  the  in 
dwelling  of^in. 

"June  12.  Spent  much  time  in  prayer  this  morn 
ing,  and  enjoyed  much  sweetness,  felt  insatiable 
longings  after  God:  1  wondered  how  poor  souls  do  te 


ilFE    OF  BRAINERB.  33 

live,  that  have  no  God.  The  world,  with  all  its  enjoy 
ments,  quite  vanished. 

"18.  Considering  my  great  unfitness  for  the 
ministry;  and  total  inability  to  do  any  thing  for  the 
glory  of  God  that  way,  1  set  apart  this  day  for 
prayer  to  God,  and  found  him  graciously  near:  once 
in  particular,  while  I  was  pleading  for  more  com 
passion  fur  immortal  souls,  my  heart  seemed  to  be 
opened  at  once,  and  I  was  enabled  to  cry  with  great 
ardency.  1  was  distressed  to  think  that  I  should  offer 
such  dead  cold  services  to  the  living  God!  My  soul 
seemed  to  breathe  after  holiness,  and  a  life  of  con 
stant  devotedness  to  God.  But  I  am  almost  lost 
sometimes  in  the  pursuit  of  this  blessedness,  and 
ready  to  sink,  because  1  continually  fall  short.  O 
that  the  Lord  would  help  me  to  hold  out,  yet  a  little 
while,  till  the  happy  hour  of  deliverance  comes!" 

in  July  he  was  examined  by  an  association  of 
ministers,  respecting  his  piety  and  learning,  and  re 
ceived  from  them  a  license  to  preach  the  Gospel  of 
Christ.  From  tin's  period  we  take  our  leave  of  him 
as  a  novitiate,  and  he  now  presents  himself  to  us  in 
the  amiable  and  interesting  character  of  a  minister. 
Perhaps  no  man  ever  felt  a  deeper  sense  of  the  im 
portance  arid  awful  responsibility  of  this  office  than 
did  Brainerd:  he  was  overwhelmed  with  a  consider 
ation  of  his  own  meanness  and  entire  insufficiency, 
and  many  a  time  with  a  soul  awed  and  almost  op 
pressed  by  the  greatness  of  his  undertaking,  he  as 
cended  the  pulpit  with  trembling  steps,  and  a  palpi 
tating  heart.  There  was  as  a  minister,  nothing 
confident,  nothing  of  arrogance,  or  self-gratu!ation, 
from  the  display  which  he  was  enabled  to  make  of 
his  talent.?,  about  David  Brainerd.  He  seemed  to 
live  hut  fo;-  one  and  a  widely  different  object,  the  dis 
play  of  the  Divine  sjlory  in  the  conversion  of  immortal 
souls;  fcvery  inferior  consideration  was  absorbed  in 
this,  tie  possessed,  in  a  very  superior  degree,  the 
talent  of  representing  truth  in  a  lively,  affecting 
manner,  and  his  address  was  solemn  and  impressive. 
This  with  an  unabating  ardor  in  the  great  pursuits 
4 


34  LIFE   OF  BRAINERD. 

for  which   he  lived,  rendered  his  preaching  every 
where  highly  acceptable  and  useful. 

His  remarkable  devotedness  to  his  work,  his  pa 
tient  perseverance  through  spiritual  trials  and  diffi 
culties  of  another  kind,  soon  attracted  the  attention 
of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry;  and  all  looked  forward 
with  pleasing  hope  to  the  great  benefits,  which,  if 
spared,  the  church  of  God  would  derive  from  his 
eminent  services.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Pemberton,  of 
New  York,  fixed  upon  him,  in  his  own  mind,  as  a 
suitable  person  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  Indians, 
and  accordingly  wrote  him  a  pressing  invitation 
"to  visit  New  York,  and  consult  about  the  Indian 
affairs  in  those  parts,  and  to  meet  certain  gentlemen 
there  who  were  entrusted  with  the  management  of 
those  affairs." 

The  purport  of  this  letter  was  quite  in  unison  with 
the  feelings  of  his  soul;  he  who  had  so  often  prayed 
for  the  Heathen,  and  wept  over  their  miserable  state, 
was  a  man  of  all  others,  the  most  likely  to  enter  witji 
all  his  heart  into  any  plan,  the  object  of  which  was 
to  assist  and  evangelize  them.  This  was  the  case; 
and  after  much  prayer,  and  the  serious  advice  of 
Christian  friends,  he  acceded  to  Mr.  Pemberton's 
proposal;  he  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,  the 
love  of  Christ  constrained  him.  On  his  arrival  at 
New  York,  he  was  introduced  to  the  correspondents 
of  the  Society  .for  promoting  the  knowledge  of  Christ 
in  the  highlands  of  Scotland,  and  in  the  Popish  and 
Infidel  parta  of  the  world. 

This  benevolent  society,  in  a  day  when  the  subject 
of  missions  was  generally  and  awfully  neglected,  and 
a  missionary  spirit  was  but  little  felt,  stood  unfriend 
ed  and  alone.  But  its  object  was  noble,  its  commis 
sion  divine:  the  poor  heathens  had,  in  this  institution, 
an  active  and  a  zealous  friend.  In  the  promotion 
of  the  grand  design  of  its  association  it  was  indefat 
igable;  pitying  the  state  of  the  American  Indians, 
who  were,  indeed,  without  hope,  and  without  God  in 
the  world:  they  commissioned  their  correspondents 
in  America  to  look  around  them  for  a  man  of  God* 


LIFE   OF  BRAINERD.  35 

who,  with  suitable  qualifications,  would  be  willing 
to  undertake  the  arduous  work  of  a  missionary  to 
wild  Barbarians!  The  providence  of  God  directed 
them  to  Brainerd;  and  their  first  interview  was 
highly  satisfactory  to  them,  and  encouraging  to  him: 
armed  with  self-denial,  and  animated  with  a  noble 
zeal  to  propagate  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  in  those  regions, 
where  its  light  had  never  shone:  all  who  conversed 
with  him  were  fully  persuaded  that  it  was  the  will  of 
God  that  he  should  go  far  awa^  unto  the  Gentiles; 
and  with  readiness,  yet  with  the  deepest  self-abase 
ment,  the  holy  Brainerd  gave  himself  up  to  the 
glorious  work, 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  state  of  his  mind  previous  to  entering  upon  his 
great  undertaking.  Probable  reasons  of  his  dejec 
tion  and  mental  exercises,  His  destination  as  a 
missionary.  His  visiting  the  Indians  at  Kaunau- 
meek. 

THE  period  upon  which  we  are  now  entering,  was 
to  Brainerd  a  season  of  deep  mental  affliction.  Like 
his  divine  Master,  he  must  be  tempted  before  he 
commences  his  public  engagements.  Brainerd  was 
about  to  honor  God  in  a  remarkable  manner,  and 
satan  is  determined  to  assail  him  with  all  the  artillery 
of  hell.  It  is  truly  affecting  to  turn  over  the  pages 
of  his  diary  at  this  awful  interval;  the  irreligious  mind 
may  indeed  consider  them  as  the  memorials  of  weak 
ness,  and  may  stigmatize  religion  as  the  cause  of  all 
the  melancholy  and  distressing  feelings  which  they 
record.  But  the  man,  who  has  any  knowledge  of 
the  human  character,  and  who  understands  the 
nature  of  true  religion,  will  form  a  very  different 
opinion. 

Mr.    Brainerd   having  resolved  on   becoming   a 
missionary,  immediately  began  to  prepare  himself 


86  TJFE    OF   BRAIXERD. 

{'or  the  arduous  task;  to  settle  his  temporal  affairs;  to 
examine  his  own  heart;  to  look  all  the  diifi(  ulties  he 
should  have  to  encounter  in  the  face;  and  to  take  an 
affectionate  leave  of  his  numerous  and  highly  respect 
ed  friends. 

At  this  time,  he  gave  a  most  striking  proof  of  the 
disinterestedness  of  his  motives,  and  of  his  entire  de- 
vo' ted  ness  to  the  cause  of  God.  Having  a  small  estate, 
bequeathed  him  by  his  father,  he  generously  determin 
ed  (imagining  that  money  would  be  no  assistance  to 
him  in  his  missionary  undertaking,)  to  educate  for  the 
ministry  some  young  person  of  abilities  and  piety. 
Such  an  one  he  found,  whom  he  denominates  a 
"Dear  friend,"  and  as  long  as  he  lived,  he  liberally 
supported  him  at  college.  This  instance  of  gener 
osity  discloses  a  lovely  feature  of  his  character; 
but  his  diary,  at  this  season,  exhibits  him  struggling 
with  the  viieness  of  his  nature,  sinking  under  a 
sense  of  his  own  unworthiness,  and  almost  ready  to 
abandon  a  work  for  which  he  was  ready  to  sacrifice 
the  dearest  temporal  interest  on  earth.  Luther  was 
qualified  for  eminent  usefulness  by  three  invaluable 
teachers:  prayer,  meditation,  and  temptation.  And 
in  the  school  of  these  instructors,  Brairierd  acquired 
a  profound  knowledge  of  his  own  heart;  of  the  love 
liness,  excellence,  suitableness,  and  glory  of  the 
Redeemer;  and  of  the  subtilty,  power,  and  malice  of 
bis  worst  enemy.  It  was  this  which,  no  doubt,  en 
abled  him  to  speak  to  others  with  so  much  wisdom, 
pathos,  and  faithfulness,  and  which  qualified  him  to 
be  an  affectionate  adviser  in  all  cases  of  conscience 
and  mental  affliction.  He  was  thus  a  scribe  well  in 
structed,  thoroughly  furnished  for  every  good  word 
and  work.  A  few  extracts  from  his  diary,  in  which 
he  relates  his  painful  conflicts,  will  illustrate  the 
truth  of  the  above  remarks.  Not  that  he  was  al 
ways  thus  dejected;  he  sometimes  mentions  spiritual 
enjoyment  and  delight,  but  for  the  most  part  we  find 
him  in  the  deep  waters.  Jonathan  Edwards  informs 
us,  that  for  twelve  days  he  was  extremely  dejected, 
discouraged,  and  distressed,  and  evidently  very  much 


OF  BRAINERD.  37 

under  the  power  of  melancholy,  "and  there  are  (says 
he,)  from  day  to  day,  most  bitter  complaints  of  ex 
ceeding  vileness,  ignorance,  corruption,  and  amazing 
load  of  guilt,  unworthiriess  to  creep  on  God's  earth, 
everlasting  uselessness,  fitness  for  nothing,  &c.  and 
sometimes  expressions,  even  of  horror,  at  the 
thoughts  of  ever  preaching  again." 

"Jan.  14,  1742.  My  spiritual  conflicts  were  un 
speakably  dreadful,  heavier  than  the  mountains  and 
overflowing  floods;  I  seemed  inclosed  in  hell  itself; 
I  was  deprived  of  all  sense  of  God,  even  of  his  being; 
and  that  was  my  misery.  This  was  distress,  the 
nearest  akin  to  the  damned's  torments  that  I  ever 
endured:  their  torment,  I  am  sure,  will  consist 
much  in  a  privation  of  God,  and  consequently  of  all 
good.  This  taught  me  the  absolute  dependence  of  a 
creature  upon  the  Creator,  for  every  crumb  of  hap 
piness  it  enjoys.  Oh!  I  feel  that  if  there  is  no  God 
though  1  might  live  forever  here,  and  enjoy  not  only 
this,  but  ail  other  worlds,  I  should  be  ten  thousand 
times  more  miserable  than  a  toad.  My  soul  was  in 
such  anguish  1  could  not  eat,  but  felt,  as  I  supposed 
a  poor  wretch  would,  that  is  just  going  to  the  place 
of  execution.  1  was  almost  swallowed  up  with  an 
guish,  when  I  saw  the  people  gathering  together  to 
hear  me  preach.  However,  1  went  to  the  house  of 
God,  and  found  not  much  relief  in  the  first  prayer; 
but  afterwards  God  was  pleased  to  give  me  freedom 
ami  enlargement,  and  1  spent  the  evening  comfort 
ably. 

"LordVday,  Jan.  23.  Scarce  ever  felt  myself  so 
unfit  to  exist,  as  now:  I  saw  I  was  not  worthy  of  a 
place  among  the  Indians,  where  I  am  going;  I 
thought  I  should  be  ashamed  to  look  them  in  the  face, 
and  much  more  to  have  any  respect  shown  me.  In 
deed  I  felt  myself  banished  from  the  earth,  as  if  all 
places  were  too  good  for  such  a  wretch  as  1;  I 
thought  I  should  be  ashamed  to  go  among  the  very 
savages  of  Africa;  1  appeared  to  myself  a  creature 
fit  for  nothing,  neither  heaven  nor  earth.  None 
knows,  but  those  that  feel  it,  what  the  soul  endures 
#4 


38  LIFE    OF  BRAINERD. 

that  is  sensibly  shut  out  from  the  presence  of  God, 
alas!  it  is  more  hitter  than  death." 

On  Thursday,  after  a  considerable  time  spent  in 
prayer  and  Christian  conversation,  he  rode  to  Mew 
London. 

"28.  Here  I  found  some  carried  away  with  a 
false  zeal  and  bitterness.  Oh,  the  want  of  a  Gospel 
temper  is  greatly  to  be  lamented.  1  spent  the  even 
ing  in  conversing  with  some  about  some  points  of 
conduct  in  both  ministers  and  private  Christians; 
but  did  not  agree  with  them:  God  had  not  taught 
them  with  briars  and  thorns,  to  be  of  a  kind  disposi 
tion  towards  mankind. 

"Feb.  2.  I  preached  my  farewell  sermon,  at  the 
house  of  an  aged  man,  who  had  been  unable- to  at 
tend  on  the  public  worship  for  some  time;  and  this 
morning  spent  the  time  in  prayer  almost  wherever 
I  went.  Having  taken  leave  of  my  friends,  I  set 
out  on  my  journey  towards  the  Indians,  though  by 
ihe  way  I  was  to  spend  some  time  at  Easthampton, 
on  Long  Island,  by  the  leave  of  the  commissioners; 
and  being  accompanied  by  a  messenger  from  East 
hampton,  we  travelled  to  Lyme.  On  the  road  I  felt 
an  uncommon  pressure  of  mind;  I  seemed  to  strug 
gle  hard  for  some  pleasure  here  below,  and  was  loth 
to  give  up  all;  1  sawr  1  was  throwing  myself  into 
many  hardships;  I  thought  it  would  be  less  difficult 
to  lie  down  in  the  grave;  but  yet  1  chose  to  go,  rath 
er  than  stay.  I  came  to  Lyme  that  night. 

"LordVday,  Feb.  13.  I  was  under  a  great  de 
gree  of  discouragement;  knew  not  how  it  was  possi 
ble  for  me  to  preach  in  the  afternoon;  was  ready  to 
give  up  all  forgone!  but  God  was  pleased  to  assist  me. 
In  the  evening,  my  heart  was  sweetly  drawn  out 
after  God  and  devoted  to  him. 

"March  19.  1  was  distressed  under  a  sense  of  my 
ignorance,  darkness,  and  un worthiness;  got  al<»ne, 
and  poured  out  fay  complaint  to  God  in  the  bitterness 
©f  my  soul.  In  the  afternoon,  rode  to  Newark,  and 
had  some  sweetness  in  conversation  with  Mr.  Burr, 
and  in  praying  together.'* 


LIFE    OF  BRAINERD.  39 

The  various  causes  which  produced  this  frequent 
recurrence  of  gloom)  dejec,ii;n  and  awful  dark nes^, 
may  be  traced,  probably,  to  the  influence  of  physical 
organization  on  the  mind — remarkahle  views  of  the 
abominable  nature  of  sin,  and  of  his  own  native  de 
pravity — and  to  some  remains  of  a  legal  arminian 
spirit.  The  mysterious  and  intimate  union  of  soul 
and  body,  is  sometimes  in  the  present  state  mutually 
injurious  to  each,  if  disease  assail  the  body,  if  the 
nervous  system  receive  a  shock,  it  subjects  the  soul 
to  anxiety  ani|Wistress  And  the  mind  having  re 
ceived  this  influence,  always  turns  to  the  dark  side 
of  every  question;  and  according  to  the  importance 
of  that  question  it  feels  disquietude.  And  as  relig 
ion  is  a  subject  of  all  others  the  most  important,  as 
it  involves  an  immortal  interest;  it  is  often  the  inno- 
eew^Poccasion  of  internal  misery  to  a  soul  infected 
with  melancholy.*  1  have  no  doubt,  but  the  most 

*It  is  possible  that  the  above  statement  of  physical  organisation  influ 
encing  the  mind  to  indulge  gloomy  and  almost  despairing  apprehen 
sions  on  the  su  ject  of  religion,  may  by  some  readers  be  miscon 
strued;  and  from  sucli  misconstruction  the  most  fatal  consequences 
may  follow.  But  to  prevent  the  indulgence  of  error,  on  a  question  of 
such  importance,  I  beg  leave  to  offer  the  following  remarks:  Some 
persons,  not  at  all  subject  to  melancholy,  may  be  inclined  to  resolve 
the  remorss  of  conscience,  and  the  fears  of  eternal  misery  which 
sometimes  rack  their  minds,  into  the  influence  of  this  morbid  affec 
tion,  and  thus  may  awfully  deceive  themselves.  But  it  may  be  ob 
served,  that  this  very  propensity,  to  ascribe  their  wretchedness  to  such 
a  cause,  is  an  undoubted  proof  that  their  judgment  on  this  point  is 
most  erroneous.  Persons  really  under  the  influence  of  melancholy, 
can  scarcely  ever  be  persuaded  of  it;  instead  of  anxiously  seeking  re 
lief  from  this,  or  any  other  cheering  COT  sideralion,  they  always  pore 
upon  the  dark  side,  they  are  the  last  to  discover  their  own  malady. 
Another  thing  against  which  we  should  guard  is,  endeavoring  to  per 
suade  persons,  to  whose  religious  character  we  are  strangers,  and 
who  perhaps  are  laboring  under  deep  convictions  of  sin,  and  who  have 
never  really  fltrd  to  the  Savior  for  retuge,  and  who  have  therefore  no 
•onsistent  views  of  Divine  truth,  that  their  distress  is  the  effect  of  mel 
ancholy.  By  conversation,  a  skilful  minister  may  soon  ascertain  the  real 
situation  of  a  person's  mind  who  applies  to  him  for  advice  and  instruc 
tion;  and  to  ascribe  concern  about  religion,  a  sense  of  depravity,  and 
horror  on  account  of  it,  to  lowness  of  spirit,  to  dejection,  &c.  would  be 
to  imitate  those  "blind  guides,"  who  declare  that  every  thing  like  se 
riousness  of  mind  proceeds  from  such  a  source,  and  who  send  the 
diseased  individual,  who  presumes  to  think  of  heaven,  hell,  and 
eternity,  to  the  ball-room  and  the  theatre  for  a  cure.  But  this  doctrine 
of  melancholy  as  the  cause  of  misery,  when  religion  is  the  object  of  at- 
t  entioo,  is  capable  of  another  and  a  very  dangerous  abuse.  A  persoa 


40  LIFE   OF  JBRAINEttB. 

afflictive  hours  in  Brainerd's  life  are  to  be  ascribed 
to  morbid  affection, — to  the  body  of  clay  gaining  an 
ascendency  over  the  ethereal  spii  it.  The  most  cheer- 
ful  Christians  under  the  influence  of  certain  corjw- 
real  maladies,  have  unstrung  their  harps,  and  sus 
pended  them  on  the  willows,  while  they  have  wept 
in  the  bitterness  of  distress.  But  religion  lost  none 
of  its  power  to  make  them  happy,  it  remained  the 
same,  and  their  rock  was  as  sate  amidst  the  billows 
as  the  calm;  yet  while  the  body  wras  diseased  they 
could  not  think  so.  % 

But  far  would  1  be  from  insinuating  that  this  was 
the  only  cause  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  affliction:  on  the 
contrary,  1  am  persuaded  that  the  remarkable  views 
which  he  had  of  the  dreadful  nature  of  sin,  and  of 
his  own  deep  depravity,  produced  those  sensations 
of  horror  and  self-loathing,  the  expressions  of  which 
no  pious  mind  can  read  without  a  kindred  feeling. 
Brainerd  was  all  over  imbued  with  a  spirit  of  holi 
ness;  and  he  judged  not  of  sin  by  any  other  standard 
than  divine  rectitude,  and  immaculate  purity.  Of 
these  he  had  a  more  perfect  idea  than  is  commonly 
possessed,  even  by  the  most  eminent  Christians. 
Now  how  odious,  how  absolutely  detestable,  must 
iniquity  appear  in  the  eyes  of  such  a  man.  He  had  an 
angeFs  comprehension  of  the  subject,  but  he  had  not 
an  angel's  purity — unhappily  he  was  a  sinner;  and  he 
had  cultivated  intensely  the  study  of  his  own  heart, 

may  conclude,  that  if  distress  of  soul  on  account  of  religion,  may  some- 
limes  proceed  from  bodily  constitution,  joy,  and  delight,  on  the  same 
account,  may  also  he  the  effect  of  a  different  corporeal  temperament. 
It  is  very  true  that  there  is  an  unfounded  joy,  which  may  be  mistak 
en  for  genuine  piety,  as  well  as  a  groundless  sorrow,  which  may  be 
unjustly  ascribed  to  its  influence.  But  "joy  and  peace  in  believing" 
may  soon  be  distinguished  from  the  raptures  of  mere  human  passion, 
and  the  fervors  of  un sanctified  affections:  and  one  striking  distinction 
between  the  Christian  and  the  fanatic  with  respect  to  enjoyment  is, 
the  former  distrusts  himself,  and  is  humble  and  diffident  in  proportion 
to  his  happiness,  Avhile  the  latter  imagines  himself  infallibly  secure,  is 
proud  and  obtrusive,  and  bears  upon  him  all  the  marks  of  antinomian 
impiety.  I  recommend  to  my  readers,  who  may  desire  satisfaction 
on  this  very  momentous  point,  a  careful  perusal  of  Mac  Laurin's 
Essay  on  the  Scripture  Doctrine  of  Divine  Grace,  published  with  his 
most  admirable  sermons,  and  which  may  be  had  of  the  publis)  or  of 
this  volume,  S.  T.  Armstrong,  CornhiH,  Boston. 


IiTFE    OF   BRAINERD.  41 

therefore,  he  felt  not  only  abhorrence  against  sin,  as 
angels  feel;  but  this  abhorrence  was  mingled  with 
the  bitterest  regret,  vrith  the  deepest  conviction 
that  his  soul  was  blackened  with  crime;  that  he  was 
a  wretch  unworthy  to  live,  much  less  to  preach  the 
glorious  Gospel,  an  honor  for  which  even  Gabriel 
might  forego  the  bliss  and  the  glories  of  the  celestial 
state.  In  such  a  sorrow  as  this  there  is  something 
sacred — it  should  be  viewed  with  reverence;  and  if 
we  could  discover  the  truth  of  ourselves,  if  we  could 
know  all  the  sin  fulness  of  our  nature,  and  at  the 
same  time  possess  a  divine  principle  to  abhor  it, 
we  should  cease  to  wonder  at  the  strong  language 
in  which  Brainerd  expresses  the  intcnseness  of  his 
woe.  It  is  but  the  feeble  utterance  of  a  grief  unut 
terable. 

But  it  will  be  asked,  was  there  no  balm  for  this 
wound?  Yes,  there  was  balm  in  Gilead,  there  was 
a  Physician  who  was  able  to  bind  up  I  he  broken 
heart.  But  Brainerd'ssoul  was  not  so  oppressed  with 
a  sense  of  the  infinite  sufficiency  of  the  remedy,  as 
of  the  desperate  nature  of  the  disease.  Remaining 
unbelief,  and  a  latent  spirit  of  self-righteousness, 
seemed  to  berloud  the  glories  of  the  Gospel,  and 
denied  him  the  comfortable  assurance  of  a  faith, 
which  believes  in  Christ  as  able  and  willing  to  save 
to  the  very  uttermost  all  that  come  unto  God  by 
him.  We  dishonor  the  Savior,  when  we  make  our 
depravity  greater  than  his  merit  and  sufficiency; 
when  we  are  more  mortified  at  the  discovery  of  un 
expected  sinful  ness  in  our  nature,  than  rejoiced  at 
the  thought,  that  his  precious  blood  cleanseth  from 
all  sin.  These  observations  I  have  here  introduced, 
because  I  think  they  are  suggested  by  this  part  of 
our  narrative,  and  because  I  imagine  they  are  of  a 
useful  tendency. 

Having  presented  my  readers  with  the  dark  side 
of  the  picture,  I  will  now  furnish  them  with  a  few 
extracts  of  a  more  lively  and  happy  cast,  and  which 
will  prove  that  Braim-rd,  though  often  dejected,  was 
not  always  comfortless. 


42  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

"February  15.  Early  in  the  day  I  felt  some  coin- 
fort;  afterwards  I  walked  into  a  neighboring  grove, 
and  felt  more  as  a  stranger  on  earth  than  ever  before; 
dead  to  all  the  enjoyments  of  the  world,  as  if  I  had 
been  dead  in  a  natural  sense.  In  the  evening  I  had 
sweetness  in  secret  duty;  God  was  then  my  portion, 
and  my  soul  rose  above  those  deep  waters  into  which 
I  have  sunk  so  low  of  late. 

"17.  I  preached  at  a  little  village  belonging  to 
Easthampton;  and  God  was  pleased  to  give  me  his 
gracious  presence  and  assistance;  so  that  I  spoke 
with  freedom,  boldness,  and  power.  In  the  evening 
I  spent  some  time  with  a  dear  Christian  friend:  felt 
as  on  the^brink  of  eternity:  my  soul  enjoyed  sweet 
ness  in  livelyj  apprehensions  of  standing  before  the 
glorious  God:  prayed  with  my  dear  friend,  and  dis 
coursed  with  the  utmost  solemnity.  And  truly  it  was 
a  little  emblem  of  heaven  itself.  I  find  my  soul  is 
more  refined  and  weaned  from  a  dependance  on  my 
frames  and  spiritual  feelings. 

"18.  Most  of  the  day  I  found  access  to  the  throne 
of  grace.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  any  intervals  of 
heavenly  delight  and  composure,  while  I  am  engag 
ed  in  the  field  of  battle.  O  that  I  might  be  serious, 
solemn,  and  always  vigilant,  while  in  an  evil  world. 

"March  7.  This  morning  when  I  arose,  I  found 
my  heart  go  forth  after  God  in  longing  desires  of 
conformity  to  him:  and  in  secret  prayer  found  my 
self  sweetly  quickened  and  drawn  out  in  praises  to 
God  for  all  he  had  done  for  me,  and  for  all  my  in 
ward  trials  and  distresses:  my  heart  ascribed  glory, 
glory,  glory  to  the  blessed  God;  and  bid  welcome  to 
all  inward  distress  again,  if  God  saw  meet  to  exer 
cise  me  with  it.  Time  appeared  but  an  inch  long,  and 
eternity  at  hand:  and  I  thought  I  could  with  patience 
and  cheerfulness  bear  any  thing  for  the  cause  of  God; 
for  I  saw  that  a  moment  would  bring  me  to  a  world 
of  peace  and  blessedness;  and  my  soul  by  the  strength 
of  the  Lord,  rose  far  above  this  lower  world,  and  all 
the  vain  amusements  and  disappointments  of  it. 

"Lord's-day,  March  13.  At  noon  thought  it  im 
possible  for  me  to  preach  by  reason  of  bodily  weak- 


LIFE    OF   BRA1NERD.  43 

ness  and  inward  deadness:  in  the  first  prayer  I  was 
so  weak  that  I  could  hardly  stand;  but  in  sermon 
God  strengthened  me  so,  that  I  spoke  near  an  hour 
and  a  half  with  freedom,  clearness,  and  tender  power, 
from  Gen.  v,  24.  "Enoch  walked  with  God."  1 
\vas  enabled  to  insist  on  a  close  walk  with  God,  and 
to  leave  this  as  my  parting  advice  to  God's  people 
here,  that  they  should  walk  with  God.  May  the 
God  of  all  grace  succeed  my  poor  labors  in  this 
place." 

At  the  time  to  which  the  whole  of  the  preceding 
part  of  this  chapter  refers,  Mr.  Brainerd  was  chiefly 
engaged  in  travelling  from  place  to  place,  visiting 
his  friends;  and  bidding  them  adieu,  previous  to  his 
departure,  as  he  imagined,  to  the  forks  of  Delaware; 
for  this  was  intended  to  have  been  the  first  field  of 
his  labors.  But  from  information  which  the  corres 
pondents  of  the  society  for  promoting  Christian 
knowledge  had  received  of  the  unsettled  state  of  the 
Indians  there,  and  also  of  the  hopeful  prospects  of 
success  that  a  missionary  might  have  among  the  In 
dians  of  Kaunaumeek,  it  was  resolved  that  this  last 
should  be  the  place  of  Mr.  Braitierd's  destination. 

J&aunaumeek  is  in  the  pftwince  of  New  York,  and 
situated  in  the  woods  between  Stockbridge  and  Al 
bany;  and  thither,  on  Tuesday  the  22d  of  March, 
in  the  year  1743,  and  nearly  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
five,  he  directed  his  steps.  On  Thursday,  the  31st 
of  March,  he  arrived  at  Mr.  Sergeant's  of  Stock- 
bridge.  He  was  dejected  and  very  disconsolate 
through  the  greater  part  of  his  journey.  His  mind 
was,  no  doubt,  deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  the 
greatness  of  his  undertaking,  and  his  body  fatigued 
by  journeying,  which  in  some  degree  accounts  for 
his  gloom  and  melancholy. 


44  LIFE    03?  BRAINERD. 


CHAPTER    V. 

The  arduous  nature  of  a  missionary's  work.  Mr. 
Brainerd?s  residence  with  the  Indians.  His  method 
of  instructing  them.  The  state  of  his  mind.  His 
success.  His  ordination. 

THE  following  observations  of  Mr.  Robinson,  on 
the  disinterested  conduct  of  Saurin,  in  devoting  his 
talents  and  labors  to  his  exiled  countrymen  at  the 
Hague,  apply  with  considerable  force  to  those  who 
become  voluntary  exiles  in  barbarous  climes,  that 
they  may  pi-each  among  the  heat  hen  the  unsearch 
able  riches  of  Christ.  <»To  dedicate  oneself  to  the 
ministry  in  a  wealthy,  flourishing  church,  where 
rich  benefices  are  every  da}'  becoming  vacant,  re 
quires  very  little  virtue,  arid  sometimes  only  a  strong 
propensity  to  vice:  but  to  choose  to  be  a  minister  in 
such  a  poor,  banished,  peraectrfed  church  as  that  of 
the  French  proteslants,  argues  a  noble  contempt  of 
the  world,  and  a  supreme  love  to  God,  and  to  the 
souls  of  men.  These  are  the  best  testimonials, 
however,  of  a  young  minister,  whose  profession  is 
not  to  enrich,  but  to  save  himself  and  them  that  hear 
him."  If  there  be  a  human  creature  who  more 
strikingly  resembles  his  Savior  than  any  other  upon 
earth,  it  is  the  faithful  missionary,  whom  dangers 
and  hardships  cannot  intimidate,  who  can  welcome 
poverty,  and  incessant  toil  of  body  and  mind,  in  the 
noble  cause  of  benevolence  and  heavenly  charity. 
Let  the  minister  who  is  disposed  to  glory  in  the 
abu;  dance  of  his  labors,  behold  the  conduct  of  Brai- 
nerd  and  be  humble;  let  the  discontented  view  his 
sufferings  and  complain  no  more;  let  the  idle  and 
careless  contemplate  his  intense  and  unwearied  ap 
plication  and  be  ashamed. 

It  will  be  more  interesting  if  he  is  suffered  to  tell 
his  own  tale;  we  shall,  therefore,  continue  the  nar 
rative  with  a  letter  which,  soon  after  his  arrival  at 
Knunaumeek,  he  addressed  to  his  brother  John;  and 
also  with  extracts  from  his  diary. 


IIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

LETTER. 

Kaunaumeek)  Aliril  30,  1740. 


."Dear  Brother, 

«I  should  tell  you,  CI  long  to  see  you,'  but  that  my 

own  experience  has  taught  me,  there  is  no  happi 

ness  to  be  enjoyed  in  earthly  friends,  though  ever  so 

near  and  dear,  or  any  other  enjoyment  that  is  not 

God  himself.     Therefore,  if  the  God  of  all  grace 

would  be  pleased  graciously  to  afford  us  each  his 

presence  and  grace,  that  we  may  perform  the  work, 

and  endure  the  trials  he  calls  us  to,  in  a  tiresome 

wilderness,  until  we  arrive  at  our  journey's  end;  the 

distance  at  which  we  are^held  from  each  other  at 

present,  is  a  matter  of  no  great  moment.     But,  alas! 

the  presence  of  God  is  what  I  want.     I  live  in  tlio 

most  lonely,  melancholy  desert,  about  eighteen  miles 

from  Albany;  I  board  with  a  poor  Scotchman;  his 

wife  can  talk  scarcely  any  English.     My  diet  con 

sists  chiefly  of  hasty-pudding,  boiled  corn,  and  bread 

baked  in  the  ashes.     My  lodging  is  a  little  heap  of 

straw,  laid  upon  some  boards,  a  little  way  from  the 

ground;  for  it  is  a  log-room,  without  any  floor,  that 

I  lodge  in.     My  work  is  exceeding  hard:  I  travel 

on  foot  a  mile  and  a  half,  the  worst  of  the  way,  al 

most  daily,  and  back  again;    for  I  live  so  far  from 

my  Indians.    I   have  not  seen  an  English  person 

this  month.     These  and  many  other  circumstances, 

as  uncomfortable,  attenfl  me;   and  yet  my  spiritual 

conflicts  and  distresses  so  far  exceed  all  these,  that  I 

scarcely  think  of  them.     The  Lord  grant  that  1  may 

be  enabled  to  «endure  hardness,  as  a  good  soldier  of 

Christ!'     As  to  my  success  here  I  cannot  say  much: 

the  Indians  seem  generally  well  disposed  towards 

me,  and  mostly  very  attentive  to  my  instructions; 

two  or  three  are  under  some  convictions;   but  there 

seems  to  be  little  of  the  special  workings  of  the  di 

vine  Spirit  among  them  yet,  which  gives  me  many 

a  heart-sinking  hour.     Sometimes,  I  hope,  God  has 

abundant  blessings  in  store  for  them  and  me;  but  at 

other  times,  I  am  so  overwhelmed  vith  distress,  that 


•46  T,IFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

I  cannot  see  how  his  dealings  with  me  arc  consistent 
with  covenant  love  and  faithfulness,  and  I  say, 
'Surely  his  tender  mercies  are  clean  gone  for  ever/ 
But  however,  I  see  I  needed  all  this  chastisement 
already;  llt  is  good  for  me,'  that  I  have  endured 
these  trials.  Do  not  he  discouraged  hy  my  distress 
at  Mr.  Pomroy's,  when  I  saw  you  last;  hut  'God  'has 
been  with  me  of  a  truth5  since  that.  But  let  us 
always  remember,  that  we  must,  through  much  trib 
ulation,  enter  into  God's  eternal  kingdom.  The 
righteous  are  scarcely  saved:  it  is  an  infinite  wonder 
that  we  have  hopes  of  being  saved  at  all.  For  my 
part,  I  feel  the  most  vile  of  any  creature  living,  and 
1  am  sure  there  is  not  such  another  existing  on  this 
side  hell.  Now  all  you  can  do  for  me  is  to  pray  in 
cessantly,  that  God  would  make  me  humble,  holy, 
resigned,  and  heavenly  minded,  by  all  my  trials. 
'Be  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his 
might.'  Let  us  run,  wrestle,  and  fight,  that  we 
may  obtain  the  prize,  and  that  complete  happiness, 
to  be  <holy,  as  God  is  holy.'  So  wishing  and  pray 
ing  that  you  may  advance  in  learning  and  grace,  and 
be  fit  for  special  service  for  God,  1  remain 

"Your  affectionate  brother, 

BRAINEIID." 


<lFriday,  April  1,  1743,  I  rode  to  Kaunaumeek, 
near  twenty  miles  from  Stockbridge,  where  the  In 
dians  live,  with  whom  I  am  concerned,  and  there 
lodged  on  a  little  heap  of  straw:  was  greatly  exer 
cised  with  inward  distresses  all  day;  and  in  the 
evening  my  heart  was  sunk,  and  1  seemed  to  have 
no  God  to  go  to.  O  that  God  would  help  me! 

"The  place  as  to  its  situation,  was  sufficiently 
lonesome  and  unpleasant,  being  incompassed  with 
mountains  and  woods,  twenty  miles  distant  from 
any  English  inhabitants;  six  or  seven  from  any 
Dutch;  and  more  than  two  from  a  family  that  came 
some  time  since  from  the  Highlands  of  Scotland, 
and  had  then  lived  about  two  years  in  this  wilder 
ness*  In  this  family  I  lodged  about  the  space  of 


1IFE    OF  BRAINERD.  47 

three  months,  the  master  of  it  being  the  only  person 
with  whom  I  could  readily  converse  in  those  parts, 
except  my  interpreter;  others  understanding  very 
little  English. 

"April  7.  I  appeared  to  myself  exceeding  igno 
rant,  helpless,  and  unworthy,  and  altogether  une 
qual  to  my  work.  It  seemed  to  me  I  should  never 
do  any  service,  or  have  any  success  among  the  In 
dians.  I  was  weary  of  life,  and  longed  for  death 
beyond  measure.  When  1  thought  of  any  godly 
soul  departed,  my  soul  was  ready  to  envy  him  his 
privilege,  thinking,  *O,  when  will  my  turn  come! 
must  it  be  years  first!'  But  I  know  those  desires 
rose  partly  for  want  of  resignation  to  God.  Towards 
night,  I  had  faith  in  prayer,  and  some  assistance  in 
writing.  O  that  God  would  keep  rnc  near  him! 

"8.  I  was  exceedingly  pressed  under  a  sense  of 
my  party  spirit,  in  times  past,  while  1  attempted  to 
promote  the  cause  of  God:  its  vile  nature  appeared 
in  such  odious  colors,  that  my  very  heart  was  pain 
ed:  I  saw  how  poor  souls  stumbled  over  it  into  ever 
lasting  destruction,  and  was  constrained  to  make 
that  prayer  in  the  bitterness  of  my  soul,  4O  Lord, 
deliver  me  from  blood-guiltiness.'  I  saw  my  desert 
of  hell  on  this  account.  My  soul  was  full  of  an 
guish  and  shame  before  God,  that  1  had  spent  so 
much  time  in  conversation,  tending  only  to  promote 
a  party  spirit.  I  saw  1  had  not  suitably  prized  mor 
tification,  self-denial,  resignation  under  all  adversi 
ties,  meekness,  love,  candor,  and  holiness  of  heart 
and  life!  and  this  day  was  almost  wholly  spent  in 
such  soul-afflicting  reflections  on  my  past  conduct. 
Of  late,  I  have  thought  much  of  having  the  king 
dom  of  Christ  advanced  in  the  world;  but  now  I  saw 
I  had  enough  to  do  within  myself.  The  Lord  be 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner,  and  wash  my  soul! 

"10.  I  preached  to  the  Indians,  both  forenoon  and 
afternoon.  They  behaved  soberly  in  general:  two 
or  three  appeared  under  some  religious  concern; 
with  whom  1  discoursed  privately;  and  one  told  me, 


48  LlEli    OF   BRAINERD. 

•her  heart  had  cried  ever  since  she  heard  me  preach 
first.' 

"13.  My  heart  was  overwhelmed  within  me:  I 
verily  thought  I  \vas  the  meanest,  vilest,  most  help 
less,  ignorant  creature  living.  And  yet  1  knew  what 
God  had  done  for  my  soul:  though  sometimes  I  was 
assaulted  with  doubts,  whether  it  was  possible  for 
such  a  wretch  as  1  to  be  in  a  state  of  grace. 

"20.  I  set  apart  this  day  for  fasting  and  prayer, 
to  bow  my  soul  before  God  for  grace;  especially 
that  all  my  inward  distresses  might  be  sanctified.  I 
endeavored  also  to  remember  the  goodness  of  God 
to  me  in  the  year  past,  this  day  being  my  birth-day, 
j  am  now  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty-five.  My  soul 
was  pained  to  think  of  my  barrenness  and  deadness, 
that  1  have  lived  so  little  to  the  glory  of  God.  I 
spent  the  day  in  the  woods  alone,  and  there  poured 
0ut  my  complaint  to  the  Lord.  0  that  he  would 
enable  me  to  live  to  his  glory  for  the  future! 

"After  several  weeks  I  found  my  distance  from 
the  Indians  a  very  great  disadvantage  to  my  work 
amongst  them,  and  very  burdensome  to  myself;  as  I 
was  obliged  to  travel  forward  and  backward  almost 
daily  on  foot,  having  no  pasture,  in  which  I  could 
keep  my  Jiorse  for  that  purpose.  And  after  all  my 
pains  I  could  not  be  with  the  Indians  in  the  evening 
and  morning,  which  were  usually  the  best  hours  to 
find  them  at  home,  and  when  they  could  best  attend 
my  instructions. 

"I  therefore  resolved  to  remove,  and  live  with,  or 
near  the  Indians,  that  I  might  watch  all  opportuni 
ties  when  they  were  generally  at  home,  and  take  the 
advantage  of  such  seasons  for  their  instruction. 

"Accordingly  I  removed  soon  after;  and,  for  a 
time,  lived  with  them  in  one  of  their  wigwams;  and 
not  long  after  built  me  a  small  house,  where  I  spent 
the  remainder  of  that  year  entirely  alone;  my  inter 
preter,  who  was  an  Indian,  choosing  rather  to  live  in 
a  wigwam  among  his  own  countrymen. 

"But  although  the  difficulties  of  this  solitary  way 
of  living  are  not  the  least,  yet  I  can  truly  say,  the 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  49 

burden  I  felt  respecting  my  great  work  among  the 
poor  Indians,  the  fear  and  concern  that  continually 
hung  upon  my  spirit,  lest  they  should  be  prejudiced 
against  Christianity,  hy  means  of  the  insinuations 
of  some  who  (although  they  are  called  Christians} 
seem  to  have  no  concern  for  Christ's  kingdom,  hut 
had  rather  the  Indians  should  remain  Heathens,  that 
they  may,  with  more  ease,  cheat,  and  enrich  them 
selves  hy  them;  the  fear  and  concern  I  felt  in  these 
respects  were  much  more  pressing  to  me  than  all  the 
difficulties  that  attended  the  circumstances  of  my 
living. 

"As  to  the  state  or  temper  of  mind  in  which  I 
found  these  Indians  at  my  first  coming  among  them, 
it  was  much  more  encouraging  than  what  appears 
among  those  who  are  altogether  uncultivated.  Their 
jealousies  and  suspicions  and  their  prejudices  against 
Christianity,  were,  in  a  great  measure,  removed  by 
the  long  continued  labors  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sergeant, 
among  a  number  of  the  same  tribe,  in  a  place  more 
than  twenty  miles  distant;  by  which  means  these 
were,  in  some  good  degree,  prepared  to  entertain 
the  truths  of  Christianity,  instead  of  objecting  against 
them,  and  appearing  entirely  untractable,  as  is  com 
mon  with  them  at  first,  and  as  these  appeared  a  few 
years  ago,  some  of  them  were  well  disposed  toward 
religion,  and  seemed  much  pleased  with  my  coming 
among  them." 

The  following  extract  touches  the  heart,  and  we 
cannot  but  sincerely  wish  that  he  had  been  blest 
with  a  brother  and  companion  in  labors.  When  the 
compassionate  Redeemer  sent  forth  his  disciples,  he 
sent  them  'two  and  two;'  he  knew  their  frame,  and 
would  not,  unnecessarily,  expose  them  to  hardships 
when  they  were  surrounded  with  so  many  that  were 
unavoidable. 

"May  18.  My  circumstances  are  such  that  I  have 
no  comfort,  of  any  kind,  but  what  I  have  in  God. 
1  live  in  the  most  lonesome  wilderness,  have  but  one 
single  person  to  converse  with  that  can  speak  Eng 
lish.  Most  of  the  talk  I  hear  is  either  Highland- 


50  1IFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

Scotch  or  Indian.  I  had  no  fellow-Christian  to  whom 
I  might  unbosom  myself,  and  lay  open  my  spiritual 
sorrows;  and  with  whom  I  might  take  sweet  counsel 
in  conversation  about  heavenly  things,  and  join  in 
prayer.  I  live  poorly  with  respect  to  the  comforts 
of  life;  most  of  them  consist  of  boiled  corn  and  hasty- 
pudding.  I  lodge  on  a  bundle  of  straw,  my  labor  is 
hard,  and  1  have  little  appearance  of  success.  The 
Indians'  affairs  are  very  difficult;  having  no  land  to 
live  on  but  what  the  Dutch  threaten  to  drive  them 
from:  they  have  no  regard  to  the  souls  of  the  poor 
Indians;  and  they  hate  me  because  I  come  to  preach 
to  them.  But  that  which  makes  all  my  difficulties 
grievous  to  be  borne  is,  that  God  hides  his  face  from 
ine." 

Ever  active  in  the  cause  of  his  Divine  Master,  it 
struck  him,  that  a  young  Indian,  his  interpreter,  who 
had  been  instructed  in  the  Christian  religion  by  Mr. 
Serjeant,  of  Stockbridge,  and  also  by  Mr.  Williams, 
of  Long  Meadow,  at  the  charge  of  Mr.  HolJis,  of 
London,  would  greatly  assist  him  in  the  capacity  of 
schoolmaster:  and  to  get  him  appointed  to  this  office, 
on  the  30th  of  May,  though  in  a  very  weak  state  of 
body,  and  miserably  dejected  in  mind,  he  set  out  on 
a  journey  to  New  Jersey,  to  consult  the  commission 
ers  on  the  subject.  This  journey  he  performed  in 
four  days,  accomplished  his  object,  and  spent  a  week 
in  different  places  with  his  friends.  On  the  Monday 
following,  he  rode  about  sixty  miles  to  New  Haven, 
nnd  attempted  a  reconciliation  with  his  college  in  vain; 
his  trivial  crime  seemed,  in  the  estimation  of  the 
governors,  to  have  upon  it  the  "primal  curse  of 
heaven,"  and  for  them  he  might  be  a  wanderer  and 
a,  vagabond.  However,  this  failure  did  not  deter 
him  soon  after  from  making  another  attempt,  he  felt 
That  he  had  erred,  and  sought  forgiveness  with  the 
meekness  of  a  Christian,  and  we  blush  to  record 
again  without  success.  On  the  30th  of  July  hemov- 
«d  into  the  house  which  he  had  erected,  and  though 
it  must  have  been  a  miserable  hovel,  thus  he  expres 
sed  his  satisfaction  with  such  an  abode,  and  an  ex- 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  51 

tract  or  two  will  discover  to  us  the  state  of  his  mind, 
and  will  afford  us  some  idea  of  the  difficulties  with 
which  he  had  continually  to  struggle. 

"Saturday,  July  30.  Just  at  night  I  moved  into 
my  own  house,  and  lodged  there  that  nighty  found  it 
much  better  spending  the  time  alone  in  my  own 
house,  than  in  the  wigwam,  where  I  was  before. 

«Lord's-day,  July  31.  Felt  more  comfortably 
than  some  days  past.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  that  has 
now  given  me  a  place  of  retirement.  O  that  I  might 
find  God  in  it,  and  that  he  would  dwell  with  me  for 
ever. 

"August  3.  Spent  most  of  the  day  in  writing,- 
enjoyed  sonae  sense  of  religion.  Through  Divine 
goodness  I  jfm  now  uninterruptedly  alone;  and  find 
my  retirement  comfortable. 

"4.  Was  enabled  to  pray  much  through  the  whole 
day;  and  through  Divine  goodness  found  some  in- 
tenseness  of  soul  in  the  duty,  as  I  used  to  do,  and 
some  ability  to  persevere  in  my  supplications;  had 
some  apprehensions  of  Divine  things  that  were  en 
gaging,  and  that  gave  me  some  courage  and  resolu 
tion.  It  is  good  1  find  to  persevere  in  attempts  to 
pray,  if  I  cannot  pray  with  perseverance,  i.  e.  con 
tinue  long  in  my  addresses  to  the  Divine  Being,  t 
have  generally  found  that  the  more  1  do  in  secret 
prayer,  the  more  I  have  delighted  to  do,  and  have 
enjoyed  more  of  the  spirit  of  prayer;  and  frequently 
have  found  the  contrary,  when  with  journeying  or 
otherwise  I  have  been  much  deprived  of  retirement. 
A  seasonable,  steady  performance  of  secret  duties, 
in  their  proper  hours,  and  a  careful  improvement  of 
all  time,  filling  up  every  hour  with  some  profitable 
labor,  either  of  heart,  head,  or  hands,  are  excellent 
means  of  spiritual  peace  and  boldness  before  God. 
''Christ,"  indeed,  "is  our  peace,  and  by  him  we  have 
boldness  of  access  to  God;"  but  a  good  conscience, 
void  of  offence,  is  an  excellent  preparative  for  an 
approach  into  the  Divine  presence.  There  is  a  dif 
ference  between  sdf-conjidence,  and  a  self-righteous 
pleasing  ourselves  (with  our  own  duties,  attainments, 


52  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

and  spiritual  enjoyments,)  which  godly  persons 
sometimes  are  guilty  of,  and  that  holy  confidence, 
arising  from  the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience, 
which  Hezektah  had,  when  he  says,  'Remember,  O 
Lord,  1  beseech  thee,  how  I  have  walked  before  tbee 
in  truth,  and  with  a  perfect  heart.'  'Then,'  says  the 
holy  psalmist,  'shall  1  not  be  ashamed,  when  1  have 
respect  to  all  thy  commandments.9  Filling  up  our 
time  with  and  for  God  is  the  way  to  rise  up  and  lie 
down  in  peace. 

"In  my  weak  state  of  body,  I  was  not  a  little  dis 
tressed  for  want  of  suitable  food.  I  had  no  bread, 
nor  could  I  get  any.  1  am  forced  to  go  or  send  ten 
or  fifteen  miles  for  all  the  bread  I  eat;  ai^il  sometimes 
it  is  mouldy  and  sour  before  I  eat  it,  if  I  get  any  con 
siderable  quantity:  and  then  again  1  have  none  for 
some  days  together,  for  want  of  an  opportunity  to 
send  for  it.  And  this  was  the  case  noW:  but  through 
Divine  goodness  1  had  some  Indian  meal  of  which  I 
made  little  cakes,  and  fried  them.  And  I  felt  con 
tented  with  my  circumstances,  and  sweetly  resigned 
to  God.  In  prayer  I  enjoyed  great  freedom;  and 
blessed  God  as  much  for  my  present  circumstances, 
as  if  1  had  been  a  king;  and  I  never  feel  comforta 
bly,  but  when  I  find  my  soul  going  forth  after  God: 
if  1  cannot  be  holy,  I  must  be  miserable  for  ever. 

"21.  I  fell  down  before  the  Lord,  and  groaned 
under  my  own  vilcness,  barrenness,  deadness,  and 
felt  as  if  I  was  guilty  of  soul-murder,  in  speaking  to 
immortal  souls  in  such  a  manner  as  I  had  done.  I 
was  very  ill  and  full  of  pain  in  the  evening;  and  my 
soul  mourned  that  I  had  spent  so  much  time  to  so 
little  profit. 

«22.  1  had  intense  and  passionate  breathings  of 
soul  after  holiness,  and  very  clear  manifestations  of 
my  utter  inability  to  procure,  or  work  it  in  myself: 
it  is  wholly  owing  to  the  power  of  God.  O,  with 
what  tenderness  the  love  and  desire  of  holiness  fills 
the  soul!  I  wanted  to  wing  out  myself  to  God,  or 
rather  to  get  a  conformity  to  him:  but,  alas!  I  can 
not  add  to  my  stature  i»  grace  one  cubit.  However, 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  53 

my  soul  can  never  leave  striving  for  it;  or  at  least 
groaning  that  it  cannot  obtain  more  purity  of  heart. 

«23.  i  poured  out  my  soul  for  all  the  world, 
friends,  and  enemies.  My  soul  was  concerned  for 
Christ's  kingdom  that  it  might  appear,  in  the  whole 
earth.  And  I  abhorred  the  very  thought  of  a  party 
in  religion!  Let  the  truth  of  God  appear,  wherever 
it  is;  and  God  shall  have  the  glory  for  ever. 

"25.  I  find  it  impossible  to  enjoy  peace  and  tran 
quillity  of  mind  without  a  careful  improvement  of 
time.  This  is  really  an  imitation  of  God  and  Christ 
Jesus:  *My  Father  worketh  hitherto,  and  I  work/ 
says  our  Lord.  But  still,  if  we  would  be  like  God, 
we  must  see  that  we  till  up  our  time  for  him.  I  daily 
long  to  dwell  in  perfect  light  and  love.  In  the  mean 
time,  my  soul  mourns  that  I  make  so  little  progress 
in  grace,  and  preparation  for  the  world  of  blessed 
ness:  I  see  and  know  that  I  am  a  very  barren  tree  in 
God's  vineyard,  and  that  he  might  justly  say,  "Cut 
it  down."  O  that  God  would  make  me  more  lively 
and  vigorous  in  grace,  for  his  own  glory! 

"28.  I  was  much  perplexed  with  some  Dutchmen. 
AH  their  discourse  turned  upon  the  things  of  the 
world.  Oh!  what  a  hell  it  would  be  to  spend  an 
eternity  with  such  men!  Well  might  David  say,  <I 
beheld  the  transgressors  and  was  grieved.'  But 
adored  be  God,  heaven  is  a  place  'into  which  no  un 
clean  thing  enters.'  O,  1  long  for  the  holiness  of  that 
world!  Lord  prepare  me  for  it," 

About  this  time  he  undertook  a  journey  to  New 
York,  and  in  September,  rode  once  more  to  Newr 
Haven,  at  the  time  of  commencement,  a  time  as  we 
have  before  observed,  when  many  of  his  fellow  stu 
dents  were  to  take  their  degree,  and  when,  had  he 
not  been  cruelly  expelled,  he  would  not  only  have 
shared  in  their  honors,  but  appeared  at  the  head 
of  his  class.  Thus  he  sweetly  writes  on  the  subject. 

"Whereas  I  have  said  before  several  persons,  con 
cerning  Mr.  Whittelsey,  one  of  the  tutors  of  Yale 
College,  that  1  did  not  believe  he  had  any  more 
grace  than  the  chair  I  then  leaned  upon;  I  humbly 


54  LIFE    OF   BRAINERB. 

confess,  that  herein  I  have  sinned  against  God;  and  act 
ed  contrary  to  the  rules  of  his  word,  and  have  injured 
Mr.  WhUtelsey.  I  had  no  right  to  make  thus  free 
with  his  character;  and  had  no  just  reason  to  say  as 
1  did  concerning  him.  My  fault  herein  was  the 
more  aggravated,  in  that  I  said  this  concerning  one 
that  was  so  much  my  superior,  and  one  that  1  was 
obliged  to  treat  with  special  respect  and  honor,  hy 
reason  of  the  relation  1  stood  in  to  him  in  the  college. 
Such  a  manner  of  behavior,  I  confess,  did  not  be 
come  a  Christian;  it  was  taking  too  much  upon  me, 
and  did  not  savor  of  that  humble  respect,  that  I  ought 
to  have  expressed  towards  Mr.  \Vhittelsey.  1  have 
long  since  been  convinced  of  the  falseness  of  those  ap 
prehensions,  by  which  J  then  justified  such  a  con 
duct.  1  have  often  reflected  on  this  act  with  grief;  I 
hope,  on  account  of  the  sin  of  it:  and  am  willing  to 
lie  low,  and  be  abased  before  God  and  man  for  it. 
And  humbly  ask  the  forgiveness  of  the  governors  of 
the  college,  and  of  the  whole  society;  but  of  Mr. 
"Whittelscy  in  particular.  And  whereas  1  have  been 
accused  of  saying  concerning  the  rector  of  Yale 
College,  that  I  wondered  he  did  not  expect  to  drop 
down  dead  for  fining  the  scholars  that  followed  Mr. 
Tcnnent  to  Milford;  I  seriously  profess,  that  I  do 
not  remember  my  saying  any  thing  to  this  purpose. 
But  if  I  did,  I  utterly  condemn  it,  and  detest  all  such 
kind  of  behavior.  And  I  now  appear  to  judge  and 
condemn  myself  for  going  once  to  the  separate  meet 
ing  in  New  Haven,  though  the  rector  had  refused  to 
give  me  leave.  For  this  I  humbly  ask  the  rector's 
forgiveness.  And  whether  the  governors  of  the 
college  shall  ever  see  cause  to  remove  the  academical 
censure  1  lie  under,  or  no,  yet  I  am  willing  to  appear, 
if  they  think  fit,  openly  to  own,  and  to  humble  my 
self  for  those  things  1  have  herein  confessed. 

«4God  has  made  me  willing  to  do  any  thing,  that  I 
can  do,  consistent  with  truth,  for  the  sake  of  peace, 
and  that  I  might  not  be  a  stumbling-block  and  of 
fence  to  others.  For  this  reason  1  can  cheerfully 
give  up  what  I  verily  believe,  after  the  most  irnpar- 


LIFE  OF  BRAINERB.  55 

tial  search,  is  my  right.  God  has  given  me  that  dis 
position,  that  it'  this  were  the  case,  that  a  man  lias 
done  me  an  hundred  injuries,  and  1  (though  ever  so 
much  provoked  to  it)  have  done  him  one,  1  am 
heartily  willing  humbly  to  confess  my  fault  to  him, 
and  on  my  knees  to  ask  forgiveness  of  him;  though 
at  the  same  time  he  should  justify  himself  in  all  the 
injuries  he  has  done  me,  and  should  only  make  use  of 
my  humble  confession  to  blacken  my  character  the 
more,  and  represent  me  as  the  only  person  guilty; 
yea,  though  he  should  as  it  were  insult  me,  and  say, 
kHe  knew  all  this  before,  and  that  I  was  making 
work  for  repentance.'  Though  what  I  said  concern 
ing  Mr.  Whittelsey  was  only  spoken  in  private,  to  £ 
friend  or  two;  and  being  partly  overheard,  was  re 
lated  to  the  rector,  and  by  him  extorted  from  my 
friends;  yet,  seeing  it  was  divulged  and  made  public 
1  was  willing  to  confess  my  fault  therein  publicly." 

For  this  purpose  he  went  to  New  Haven  at  the 
time  we  have  mentioned;  and  President  Edwards 
thus  commends  his  spirit  and  conduct  on  this  occa 
sion:  "I  was  witness  to  the  very  Christian  spirit 
Mr.  Brainerd  showed  at  that  time,  being  then  at  New 
Haven,  and  being  one  that  he  saw  fit  to  consult  on 
that  occasion.  This  was  the  first  time  that  ever  I 
had  an  opportunity  of  personal  acquaintance  with 
him.  There  appeared  in  him  a  great  degree  of  calm 
ness  and  humility,  without  the  least  appearance  of 
rising  of  spirit  for  any  ill  treatment  he  had  suffered, 
or  the  least  backwardness  to  abase  himself  before 
them  whom  he  thought  had  wronged  him.  What  he 
did  was  without  any  objection  or  appearance  of  re 
luctance,  even  in  private  to  his  friends. 

During  his  short  residence  at  Kaunaumcck,  it  is 
astonishing  how  various  and  how  constant  his  ex 
ertions  were.  He  was  "in  journeyings  oft,"  and 
his  labors  were  "abundant."  When  with  the  In 
dians,  he  discoursed  to  them  on  the  most  important 
subjects  of  theology,  and  frequently  catechised  them. 
And  when  we  consider  that  he  had  a  very  slight  ac 
quaintance  with  their  language,  that  he  was  obliged 


56  :LI*E  OF  BRAINERD. 

to  teach  them  by  an  interpreter,  that  he  had  to  man- 
age  their  temporal  concerns,  and  often  to  arbitrate 
between  them  in  their  petty  disagreements;  and  when 
added  to  this,  we  also  recollect,  that  the  objects  of 
his  more  than  parental  care  were  untutored  savages 
we  must  be  filled  with  amazement  at  the  difficulties 
which  he  had  to  encounter,  and  at  the  patient  per 
severance  by  which  he  surmounted  them;  during  the 
whole  of  the  term,  it  should  also  be  remembered  that 
his  health  was  very  precarious,  his  constitution  del 
icate,  and  that  he  often  struggled  with  very  severe  in 
disposition.  For  a  considerable  part  of  the  time,  we 
are  informed,  that  amidst  his  other  labors,  he  applied 
himself  closely  to  the  study  of  the  Indian  language; 
and  that  he  might  enjoy  the  advantage  of  a  tutor,  he 
often  rode,  in  the  depth  of  winter,  a  distance  of  twen 
ty  miles  backwards  and  forwards  through  the  unin 
habited  woods  between  Stockbridge  and  Kaunau- 
meek. 

His  inward  conflicts,  trials,  and  enjoyments,  dur 
ing  his  residence  at  Kaunaumeek,  will  appear  from 
the  following  extracts  from  his  diary. 

"October  4.  This  day  1  rode  home  to  my  own 
house  and  people.  The  poor  Indians  appeared  very 
glad  of  my  return.  I  presently  fell  on  my  knees, 
and  blessed  God  for  my  safe  return.  I  have  taken 
many  considerable  journies  since  this  time  last  year, 
and  yet  God  has  never  suffered  one  of  my  bones  to  be 
broken,  or  any  distressing  calamity  to  befal  me, 
though  1  have  been  often  exposed  to  cold  and  hungei 
in  the  wilderness,  where  the  comforts  of  life  were 
not  to  be  had;  have  frequently  been  lost  in  the 
woods;  and  sometimes  obliged  to  ride  much  of  the 
night;  and  once  lay  out  in  the  woods  all  night. 

"16.  I  retired  and  poured  out  my  soul  to  God  witl 
much  freedom;  and  yet  in  anguish,  to  find  myself  sc 
unspeakably  sinful  and  unworthy  before  a  holy  God 
I  was  now  much  resigned  under  God's  dispensation* 
towards  me,  though  my  trials  had  been  very  great 
But  thought  whether  1  could  be  resigned,  if  Goe 
should  let  the  French  Indians  come  upon  me,  and  de 


LIFE  OF  BRAINER*,  57 

prive  me  of  my  life,  or  carry  me  away  captive 
(though  I  knew  of  no  special  reason  then  to  propose 
this  trial  to  myself,)  and  my  soul  seemed  so  far  to 
rest  in  God,  that  the  sting  and  terror  of  these  things 
was  gone.  Presently  after  I  received  the  following 
letter  by  a  messenger  sent  on  purpose. 

"Sir,  Just  now  we  received  advices  from  Col. 
Stoddard,  that  there  is  the  utmost  danger  of  a  rup 
ture  with  France.  He  lias  received  the  same  from 
our  governor,  ordering  him  to  give  notice  to  all  the 
exposed  places,  thai  tliev  may  secure  themselves  the 
best  they  can  against  any  sudden  invasion.  We 
thought  besi  to  send  directly  to  Kaunaumeek,  that 
you  may  take  the  pi  udentest  measures  for  your  safe 
ty.  J  am,  Sir,  &c. 

"I  thought  it  came  in  a  good  season:  for  my  heart 
seemed  h'xed  on  God,  therefore  I  was  not  surprised; 
but  this  news  only  made  me  more  serious,  and  taught 
me  that  1  must  not  please  myself  with  any  of  the 
comforts  of  life  which  1  had  been  preparing. 

"23.  1  had  some  freedom  and  warmth,  both  parts 
of  the  day.  And  my  people  were  very  attentive.  In 
the  evening,  two  or  three  came  to  me  under  concern 
for  their  souls;  to  whom  I  was  enabled  to  discourse 
closely,  and  with  some  earnestness  and  desire. 

"SI.  My  soul  was  so  lifted  up  to  God,  that  I 
could  pour  out  my  desires  to  him,  for  more  grace  and 
further  degrees  of  sanctification,  with  abundant  free 
dom.  I  longed  to  be  more  abundantly  prepared  for 
that  blessedness,  with  which  I  was  then  in  some 
measure  refreshed. 

"Nov.  3.  1  spent  this  (lay  in  secret  fasting  and 
prayer,  from  morning  till  night.  Early  in  the  morning, 
I  had  some  assistance  in  prayer.  Afterwards  1  road 
the  story  of  Elijah  the  prophet.  My  soul  was  much 
moved,  observing  the  faith,  zeal,  and  power  of  that 
Loly  man;  and  how  he  wrestled  with  God  in  prayer. 
I  then  cried  with  Elisha,  '"Where  is  the  Lord  God  of 
Elijah!'  I  longed  for  more  faith!  My  soul  breathed 
after  God,  and  pleaded  with  him,  that  a  double  por 
tion  of  that  spirit,  which  waa  given  to  Elijah,  might 


£8  LUTE  OF  URAINERD. 

rest  on  me,  and  I  saw  God  is  the  same  that  he  was 
in  the  days  of  Elijah.  I  was  enabled  to  wrestle  with 
God  by  prayer,  in  a  more  affectionate,  humble,  and 
importunate  manner,  than  1  have  for  many  months 
past.  Nothing  seemed  too  hard  for  God  to  perform; 
nothing  too  great  for  me  to  hope  for  from  him.  I 
had  for  many  months  lost  all  hopes  of  doing  any 
special  service  for  God  in  the  world;  it  appeared  im 
possible,  that  one  so  vile  should  be  thus  employed 
for  God.  But  at  this  time  God  was  pleased  to  re 
vive  this  hope.  Afterwards  I  read  the  third  chapter 
of  Exodus,  and  on  to  the  twentieth,  and  saw  more  of 
the  glory  and  majesty  of  God  discovered  in  those 
chapters,  than  ever  I  had  seen  before;  frequently,  in 
the  mean  time,  falling  on  my  knees,  and  crying  to 
God  for  the  faith  of  Moses,  and  for  a  manifestation 
of  the  Divine  glory.  My  soul  was  ardent  in  prayer, 
and  1  was  enabled  to  wrestle  for  myself,  for  my 
friends,  and  for  the  church. .  I  felt  more  desire  to 
see  the  power  of  God  in  the  conversion  of  souls,  than 
I  have  done  for  a  long  season.  Blessed  be  God  for 
this  season  of  fasting  and  prayer.  May  his  goodness 
always  abide  with  me,  and  draw  my  soul  to  him. 

"7.  This  morning  my  mind  was  solemn,  fixed, 
affectionate,  and  ardent  in  desires  after  holiness;  and 
felt  full  of  tenderness  and  love.  My  affections  seem 
ed  to  be  dissolved  into  kindness  and  softness.  My 
soul  longed  after  God,  and  cried  to  him  with  filial 
freedom,  reverence,  and  boldness.  O  that  1  might 
be  entirely  consecrated  and  devoted  to  God! 

"Dec.  3.  I  rode  home  to  my  house  and  people. 
Suffered  much  with  extreme  cold.  I  trust,  I  shall 
ere  long  arrive,  where  my  toils  shall  cease. 

"5.  J  rode  to  Stockbridge,  but  was  almost  out 
done,  with  the  extreme  cold.  I  had  some  refreshing 
meditations  by  the  way;  but  was  barren  and  lifeless 
much  of  the  day.  Thus  my  days  roll  away,  with 
but  little  done  for  God:  and  this  is  my  burden. 

*<6.  I  was  perplexed  to  see  the  vanity  and  levity 
•if  professed  Christians:  but  I  spent  the  evening 


LIFE    OF   BRA.INERD.  59 

with  a  Christian  friend,  that  was  able  to  sympathize 
with  me  in  my  spiritual  conflicts. 

U8.  My  mind  was  lost  with  different  affections.  I 
was  looking  round  in  the  world,  to  see  if  there  was 
not  some  happiness  to  be  derived  from  it.  God,  and 
some  objects  in  the  world,  seemed  eacli  to  invite  my 
heart;  and  my  soul  was  distracted  between  them,  i 
have  not  been  so  beset  for  a  long  time,  with  relation 
to  some  objects,  which  I  thought  myself  most  dead 
to.  But  while  1  was  desiring  to  please  myself  with 
any  thing  below,  sorrow,  and  perplexity,  attended 
the  first  motions  of  desire.  I  found  no  peace,  or  de 
liverance  from  this  distraction  till  I  found  access  to 
the  throne  of  grace;  and  as  soon  as  I  had  any  sense 
of  God,  the  allurements  of  the  world  vanished.  But 
my  soul  mourned  over  my  folly,  that  I  should  desire 
any  pleasure,  but  in  God.  God  forgive  my  spiritual 
idolatry! 

"26.  I  rode  to  Stockbridge,  but  was  very  much 
fatigued  with  my  journey,  wherein  1  underwent 
great  hardship:  being  much  exposed  and  very  wet 
by  falling  into  a  river.  1  spent  the  day  and  evening 
without  much  sense  of  Divine  things;  but  perplexed 
with  wandering  thoughts. 

"£9.  I  spent  the  day  mainly  in  conversing  with 
friends;  yet  enjoyed  little  satisfaction,  because  i  could 
find  but  few  disposed  to  converse  of  heavenly  things, 
Alas,  what  are  the  things  of  this  world,  to  afford 
satisfaction  to  the  soul!  I  blessed  God  for  retire- 
ment,  and  that  1  am  not  always  exposed  to  company. 
O  that  I  could  live  in  the  secret  of  God's  presence! 

"Lord's-day,  Jan.  1,  1743.  Of  a  truth  God  has 
been  gracious  to  me  the  last  year,  though  he  has 
caused  me  to  pass  through  many  sorrows;  he  has 
provided  for  me  bountifully,  so  that  I  have  been  en 
abled,  in  about  fifteen  months  past,  to  bestow  to  char 
itable  uses  about  an  hundred  pounds.  Blessed  be  the 
Lord,  that  he  has  so  far  used  me  as  his  steward)  to 
distribute  a  portion  of  his  goods.  May  I  al \Vays  re 
member,  that  all  I  have  comes  from  God.  BJessed 
be  the  Lord  that  has  carried  me  through  all  the  toil*, 


Q  LIFE    OF  BEAINERD. 

fatigues,  and  hardships  of  the  year  past.  0  that  I 
could  begin  this  year  with  God,  and  spend  the  whole 
of  it  to  his  glory,  either  in  life  or  death! 

"3.  My  time  passes  away  so  swiftly,  that  I  am  as 
tonished  when  1  reflect  how  little  1  do  in  it.  My 
state  of  solitude  does  not  make  the  hours  hang  heavy 
upon  my  hands.  O  what  reason  of  thankfulness 
have  1  on  account  of  this  retirement!  1  do  not  lead 
a  Christian  life  when  I  am  abroad,  and  cannot  spend 
time  in  devotion,  Christian  conversation,  and  medi 
tation.  Those  weeks  that  I  am  obliged  to  be  from 
home,  in  order  to  learn  the  Indian  tongue,  are  mostly 
spent  in  barrenness;  and  I  feel  myself  a  stranger  to 
the  throne  of  grace.  When  I  return  home,  and  give 
myself  to  meditation,  prayer,  and  fasting,  a  new 
scene  opens,  and  my  soul  longs  for  mortification, 
.self-denial,  humility,  and  divorcement  from  all  the 
things  of  the  world. 

"4.  Time  appeared  a  moment,  life  a  vapor,  and  all 
its  enjoyments  as  empty  bubbles,  and  fleeting  blasts  of 
wind. 

"6.  Feeling  my  extreme  weakness,  and  want  of 
grace,  1  set  apart  this  day  for  fasting  and  prayer. 
My  soul  intensely  longed,  that  the  dreadful  spots 
and  stains  of  my  siiv  may  be  washed  away.  My 
mind  was  greatly  fixed  on  Divine  things;  my  reso 
lution  for  a  life  of  mortification,  continual  watchful 
ness,  self-denial,  seriousness,  and  devotion  to  God, 
were  strong  and  fixed;  my  desires  ardent  and  in-1 
tense:  my  conscience  tender,  and  afraid  of  every  ap 
pearance  of  evil.  My  soul  was  grieved  with  the 
reflection  on  rny  past  levity,  and  want  of  resolution 
for  God.  I  solemnly  renewed  my  dedication  of  my 
self  to  God,  and  longed  for  grace  to  enable  me  al 
ways  to  keep  covenant  with  him. 

"Feb.  2.  1  spent  this  day  in  fasting  and  prayer, 
seeking  the  presence  and  assistance  of  God,  that  he 
would  enable  me  to  overcome  all  my  corruptions  and 
spiritual  enemies. 

"7.  I  was  much  engaged  in  meditation  on  the  pow 
ers  and  affections  of  the  godly  soul  in  the  pursuit  of 


LIFE    OF   BRAINEilD.  6.1 

their  beloved  object:  wrote  something  of  the  native 
language  of  spiritual  sensation  in  its  soft  and  tender 
whispers;  declaring  that  it  now  feels  and  tastes  that 
the  Lord  is  gracious:  that  he  is  the  supreme  good,  the 
only  satisfying  happiness;  that  he  is  a  complete,  suffi 
cient,  and  Almighty  portion:  saying, 

"  'Whom  have  1  in  heaven  hut  thee,  and  there  is 
none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee.'  O,  I  fed 
it  is  heaven  to  please  him,  and  to  he  just  what  he 
would  have  me  to  he!  O  that  my  soul  were  holy  as 
he  is  holy!  O  that  it  were  pure,  even  as  Christ  is 
pure:  and  perfect  as  my  Father  in  heaven  is  perfect! 
These,  1  feel,  are  the  sweetest  commands  iti  God's 
hook,  comprising  all  others.  And  shall  1  break 
them!  must  1  break  them!  am  I  under  a  necessity  of 
it  as  long  as  I  live  in  the  world!  No.  O  my  soul, 
woe  is  me  that  1  am  a  sinner,  because  I  grieve  and 
offend  this  blessed  God,  who  is  infinite  in  goodness 
and  grace!  Oh,  inethinks  if  he  would  punish  me  for 
my  sins,  it  would  not  wound  my  heart  so  deep  as 
to  offend  him;  but  though  1  sin  continually,  yet  he 
continually  repeats  his  kindness  to  me!  I  could  bear 
any  suffering,  but  how  can  I  bear  to  grieve  and  dis 
honor  this  blessed  God!  How  shall  I  yield  ten  thou 
sand  times  more  honor  to  him?  What  shall  I  do  to 
glorify  this  best  of  beings?  O  that  I  could  conse 
crate  myself,  soul  and  body,  to  his  service  for  ever! 
0  that  I  could  give  up  myself  to  him,  so  as  never 
more  to  attempt  to  be  my  own,  or  to  have  any  will 
or  affections  that  are  not  perfectly  conformed  to  him! 
O  ye  angels,  do  ye  glorify  him  incessantly:  and  if 
possible,  prostrate  yourselves  lower  before  the  bles 
sed  King  of  heaven!,*  I  long  to  bear  a  part  with  you; 
and  if  it  were  possible,  to  help  you.  Oh,  when  we 
have  done  all  that  we  can,  to  ail  eternity,  we  sbaU 
not  be  able  to  offer  the  ten  thousandth  part  of  the 
homage  that  the  glorious  God  deserves! 

"10.  I  was  exceedingly  oppressed  with  shame, 
grief,  and  fear,  under  a  ser.se  of  my  past  folly. 
When  God  sets  before  me  my  misconduct,  especially 
any  instances  of  misguided  zeal,  it  sinks  my  soul  into 


62  1IEE    OF  BRA1NERD. 

shame  and  confusion.  1  have  no  confidence  to  hold 
up  my  face,  even  before  my  fellow-worms;  but  only 
when  my  soul  confides  in  God,  and  I  find  the  sweet 
temper  of  Christ,  the  spirit  of  humility,  solemnity, 
and  mortification,  alive  in  my  soul. 

"Friday,  March  2.  I  never  felt  so  much  love  to 
my  enemies  (though  at  that  time  I  found  such  a  dis 
position,  that  I  scarce  knew  how  to  think  that  any 
such  thing  as  enmity  lodged  in  my  soul;  it  seemed  as 
if  all  the  world  must  needs  be  friends,)  and  never 
prayed  with  more  freedom  and  delight  for  myself,  or 
dearest  friend,  than  I  did  now  for  them! 

"Saturday,  March  3.  I  spent  an  hour  in  prayer, 
\vith  great  intenseness  and  freedom,  and  with  the 
most  soft  and  tender  affection  towards  mankind,  I 
longed  that  those,  who  I  have  reason  to  think  owe 
me  ill-will,  might  be  eternally  happy:  it  seemed  re 
freshing  to  think  of  meeting  them  in  heaven,  how 
much  soever  they  had  injured  me  on  earth;  I  had  no 
disposition  to  insist  upon  any  confession  from  them, 
in  order  to  reconciliation,  and  the  exercise  of  love 
and  kindness  to  them.  O  it  is  an  emblem  of  heaven 
to  love  all  the  world  with  a  love  of  kindness,  foV- 
giveness,  and  benevolence;  to  feel  our  souls  sedate, 
mild,  and  meek;  to  be  void  of  all  evil  surmisings 
and  suspicions,  and  scarce  able  to  think  evit  of  any 
man  upon  any  occasion;  to  find  our  hearts  simple, 
open,  and  free,  to  those  who  look  upon  us  with  a 
different  eye. 

"10.  I  felt  exceeding  dead  to  the  world,  and  all 
its  enjoyments:  I  was  ready  to  give  up  life,  and  all 
its  comforts,  as  soon  as  called  to  it;  and  yet  Ihen 
had  as  much  comfort  of  life  as  almost  ever  1  had* 
Life  itself  appeared  but  an  empty  bubble;  the  riches, 
honors,  and  enjoyments  of  it  extremely  tasteless.  I 
longed  to  be  entirely  crucified  to  all  tilings  here  be 
low.  My  soul  was  sweetly  resigned  to  God's  dis 
posal  of  me;  and  I  saw  there  had  nothing  happened 
to  me  but  what  was  best  for  me.  1  confided  in  God, 
that  he  would  never  leave  me,  though  I  should  walk 
through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.'  It  was 


LIFE    OF  BRAI5ERB.  63 

my  meat  and  drink  to  be  holy,  to  live  to  the  Lord, 
and  die  to  the  Lord.  And  1  then  enjoyed  such  an 
heaven,  as  far  exceeded  the  most  sublime  conceptions 
of  an  unregenerate  soul;  and  even  unspeakably  be 
yond  what  1  myself  could  conceive  at  another  time. 
1  did  not  wonder  that  Peter  said,  <Lord,  it  is  good 
to  be  here,7  when  thus  refreshed  with  Divine  glories. 
My  soul  was  full  of  love  and  tenderness  in  the  duty 
of  intercession;  especially  of  sweet  affection  to  some 
godly  ministers.  1  prayed  earnestly  for  those  I  have 
reason  to  fear  are  my  enemies;  and  could  not  have 
spoken  a  word  of  bitterness,  or  entertained  a  bitter 
thought  against  the  vilest  man  living  1  had  a  sense 
of  my  own  great  un worthiness.  My  soul  seemed  to 
breathe  forth  love  and  praise  to  God  afresh,  when  I 
thought  he  would  let  his  children  love  and  receive  me 
as  one  of  their  brethren  and  fellow-citizens:  and 
when  I  thought  of  their  treating  me  in  that  manner, 
1  longed  to  lie  at  their  feet;  and  could  think  of  no 
way  to  express  the  sincerity  and  simplicity  of  my 
love  and  esteem  of  them,  as  being  much  better  than 
myself.  J  lunged  to  get  on  my  knees,  and  ask  for 
giveness  of  every  body  that  ever  had  seen  any  thing 
amiss  in  my  past  conduct,  especially  in  my  religious 
zeal. 

"Lord's  day,  March  11.  I  preached  from  the  par 
able  of  the  sower,  had  some  freedom,  affection,  and 
fervency,  in  addressing  my  poor  people:  longing  that 
God  should  take  hold  of  their  hearts,  and  make  them 
spiritually  alive.  And  indeed  I  had  so  much  to  say 
to  them,  that  I  knew  not  how  to  leave  oft' speaking." 

The  particular  method  which  Mr.  Brainerd  pur 
sued  in  conveying  instruction  to  the  Indians,  will  ap 
pear  from  part  of  a  letter  which  he  addressed  to  Mr. 
Pemberton:  "In  my  labors  with  them,  <to  turn  them 
from  darkness  to  light,'  1  studied  what  was  most 
plain  and  easy,  and  best  suited  to  their  capacities; 
and  endeavored  to  set  before  them,  from  time  to  time 
(as  they  were  able  to  receive  them,)  the  most  impor 
tant  and  necessary  truths  of  Christianity:  such  as 
most  immediately  concerned  their  speedy  conversion 


64  J.IPE    OF    BRAINERl*. 

to  God,  and  such  as  I  judged  had  the  greatest  ten 
dency  (as  means)  to  effect  that  glorious  change,  in 
them.  But  especially  I  made  it  the  scope  and  drift 
of  all  my  lahors,  to  lead  them  into  a  thorough  ac 
quaintance  with  these  two  things:  first,  the  sinfullifss 
awl  misery  of  the.  estate  they  were  naturally  in;  the 
evil  of  their  hearts,  the  pollution  of  their  natures, 
the  heavy  guilt  they  were  under,  and  their  exposed 
ness  to  everlasting  punishment;  as  also,  their  utter 
inahility  to  save  themselves,  either  from  their  sins, 
or  from  those  miseries  which  are  the  just  punish 
ment  of  them,  and  their  unworthiness  of  any  mercy 
at  the  hand  of  God,  on  account  of  any  thing  they 
themselves  could  do,  to  procure  his  favor,  and,  con 
sequently,  their  extreme  need  of  Christ  to  save  them: 
and,  secondly,  I  frequently  endeavored  to  open  to 
them  thzf ulness,  all-sufficiency ,  and  freeness  of  that 
redemption  which  the  Son  of  God  hath  wrought 
out,  hy  his  ohedience  and  sufferings  for  perishing 
sinners.  How  this  provision  he  had  made  was  suited 
to  all  their  wants;  and  how  he  called  and  invited 
them  to  accept  of  everlasting  life  freely,  notwith 
standing  all  their  sinfulness,  inahility,  unworthiness, 
&c.  After  I  had  been  with  the  Indians  several 
months,  I  composed  sundry  forms  of  prayer,  adapt 
ed  to  their  circumstances  and  capacities,  which  with 
the  help  of  my  interpreter,  I  translated  into  the  In 
dian  language,  and  soon  learned  to  pronounce  their 
words,  so  as  to  pray  with  them  in  their  own  tongue. 
1  also  translated  sundry  psalms  into  their  language; 
and  soon  after,  we  were  able  to  sing  in  the  worship 
of  God. 

"When  my  people  had  gained  some  acquaintance 
with  many  of  the  truths  of  Christianity,  so  that  they 
were  capable  of  receiving  and  understanding  many 
others  which,  at  first,  could  not  be  taught  them,  by 
reason  of  their  ignorance  of  those  that  were  necessa 
ry  to  be  previously  known,  and  upon  which  others 
depended:  I  then  gave  them  an  historical  account  of 
God's  dealings  with  his  ancient  professing  people 
the  Jews:  some  of  the  rights  and  ceremonies  they 


I.IFE    OF   BRAIXEKD.  65 

were  obliged  to  observe;  as  their  sacrifices,  &c.  and 
what  these  were  designed  to  represent  to  them:  as 
also  some  of  the  surprising  miracles  God  wrought 
for  their  salvation,  while  they  trusted  on  him,  and 
the  sore  punishments  he  sometimes  brought  upon 
them  when  they  forsook  and  sinned  against  him.  Af 
terwards  I  proceeded  to  give  them  a  relation  of  the 
birth,  life,  miracles,  sufferings,  death,  and  resurrec 
tion  of  Christ;  as  well  as  his  ascension,  and  the 
wonderful  effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit  consequent 
thereupon. 

"And  having  thus  endeavored  to  prepare  the  way 
by  such  a  general  account  of  things,  1  next  proceed 
ed  to  read  and  expound  to  them  the  Gospel  of  Mat 
thew  (at  least  the  substance  of  it)  in  course;  wherein 
they  had  a  more  distinct  and  particular  view  of  what 
they  had  before  some  general  notion  of.  These 
expositions  I  attended  almost  every  evening,  when 
there  was  any  considerable  number  of  them  at  home; 
except  when  I  was  obliged  to  be  absent  myself,  in 
order  to  learn  the  Indian  language  with  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Serjeant.  Besides  these  means  of  instruction, 
there  was  likewise  an  English  school  constantly 
kept  by  my  interpreter,  among  the  Indians,  which  I 
used  frequently  to  visit,  in  order  to  give  the  children 
and  young  prople  some  proper  instructions,  and  seri 
ous  exhortations,  suited  to  their  age.  The  degree 
of  knowledge,  to  which  some  of  them  attained,  was 
considerable.  Many  of  the  truths  of  Christianity 
seemed  fixed  in  their  minds  (especially  in  some  in 
stances;)  so  that  they  could  speak  to  me  of  them 
selves,  and  ask  such  questions  about  them  as  were 
necessary  to  render  them  more  plain  and  clear  to 
their  understandings. 

"The  children,  also,  and  young  people,  who  at 
tended  the  school  made  considerable  proficiency  (at 
least  some  of  them)  in  their  learning;  so  that,  had 
they  understood  the  English  language  well,  they 
would  have  been  able  to  read  somewhat  readily  in  a 
psalter.  But  that  which  was  most  of  all  desirable, 
and  gave  me  the  greatest  encouragement,  amidst 


66  LIFE  Or  BRAINERD. 

many  difficult  and  disconsolate  hours,  was,  that  the 
truths  of  God?s  word  seemed,  at  times,  to  be  attended 
with  some  power  upon  the  hearts  and  consciences 
of  the  Indians.  And  especially  this  appeared  evi 
dent  in  a  few  instances,  who  were  awakened  to  some 
sense  of  their  miserable  estate  by  nature,  and  ap 
peared  solicitous  for  deliverance  from  it.  Several 
of  them  came  of  their  own  accord  to  discourse  with 
me  about  their  soul's  concern;  and  some,  with  tears, 
inquired,  <What  they  should  do  to  be  saved!'  and 
'Whether  the  God  that  Christians  served  would  be 
merciful  to  those  who  had  been  frequently  drunk?'  &c. 
And  although  1  cannot  say  I  have  satisfactory  evi 
dences  of  their  being  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  their 
minds,  and  savingly  converted  to  God;  yet  the  Spir 
it  of  God  did  (L  apprehend,)  in  such  a  manner,  at 
tend  the  means  of  grace,  and  so  operate  upon  their 
minds  thereby,  as  might  justly  afford  matter  of  en 
couragement  to  hope  that  God  designed  good  to 
them,  and  that  he  was  preparing  his  way  into  "their 
souls.  There  likewise  appeared  a  reformation  in  (he 
lives  and  manners  of  the  Indians. 

"Their  idolatrous  sacrifices  (of  which  there  was  but 
one  or  two  that  I  know  of,  after  my  coming  among 
them)  were  wholly  laid  aside;  and  their  heathenish 
custom  of  dancing,  hallooing,  &c.  thus  seemed,  in  a 
considerable  measure,  broken  off  from.  And  1  could 
not  but  hoptf,  that  they  were  reformed,  in  some  mea 
sure,  from  the  sin  of  drunkenness.  They  likewise 
manifested  a  regard  to  the  Lord's-day;  and  not  only 
behaved  soberly  themselves,  but  took  care  also  to 
keep  their  children  in  order.  Yet,  after  all,  I  must 
confess,  that,  as  there  were  many  hopeful  appear 
ances  among  them,  so  there  were  somethings  more 
discouraging;  and  while  I  rejoiced  to  observe  any 
seriousness  and  concern  among  them  about  the  affairs 
of  their  souls,  still  I  was  not  without  continual  fear 
and  concern,  lest  such  encouraging  appearances 
might  prove,  like  the  'morning  cloud  that  passeth 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  C7 

Mr.  Brainerd  continued  at  Kaiinaumeck  about  a 
year.  And  as  the  Indians  there  were  few  in  number, 
he  persuaded  them  ft  remove  to  Stockbridge,  that 
they  might,  enjoy  the  benefit  of  Mr.  Serjeant's  minis 
trations:  for  himself  he  thought  <*he  might  do  more 
service  for  Christ  in  a  field  where  he  should  enjoy 
full  scope  for  his  exertions."  His  account  of  his 
first  intimating  his  intention  to  his  sable  flock  is 
affecting.  "1  informed  them  (says  he)  that  I  ex 
pected  to  leave  them  in  the  spring  then  approaching, 
and  to  be  sent  to  another  tribe  of  Indians  at  a  great 
distance  from  them.  Upon  hearing  of  which  they 
appeared  very  sorrowful;  and  some  of  them  en 
deavored  to  persuade  me  to  continue  with  them, 
urging  that  they  had  now  heard  so  much  about  their 
soul's  concerns,  that  they  could  never  more  be  willing 
to  live  as  they  had  done,  without  a  minister,  and 
further  instructions  in  the  way  to  heaven.  Where 
upon  I  told  them,  they  ought  to  be  willing  that  oth 
ers  also  should  hear  about  their  soul's  concerns, 
seeing  those  needed  it  as  much  as  themselves.  Yet 
further  to  dissuade  me  from  going,  they  added,  that 
those  Indians  to  whom  1  had  thought  of  going  (as 
they  had  heard)  were  not  willing  to  become  Chris 
tians  as  they  were,  and  therefore  urged  me  to  tarry 
with  them.  I  then  told  them,  that  they  might  receive 
further  instruction  without  me;  but  the  Indians  to 
whom  I  expected  to  be  sent  could  not,  there  being 
no  minister  near  to  teach  them." 

In  order  to  further  this  design,  which  he  had  thus 
made  known  to  his  people,  Mr.  Brainerd  determined 
on  another  journey  to  New  Jersey,  that  he  might 
state  his  views  to  the  commissioners.  They  accor 
dingly  met  him  at  Elizabethtown,  and  resolved, 
"That  he  should  forthwith  leave  Kaunaumeek  and 
go  to  Delaware;"  and  with  this  resolution  he  cheer 
fully  complied.  His  compliance  on  this  occasion; 
when  all  circumstances  are  considered,  reflects 
the  highest  honor  upon  his  character.  He  did  not 
rush,  like  the  inexperienced  war-horse,  into  the  bat 
tle.  He  was  not  influenced  by  the  fervor  of  youth, 


68  1IFE    OF  BRAIXERD. 

which  overlooks  difficulties  in  the  pursuit  of  a  favor 
ite  object,  which  bestrews  aiyuntrodden  path  with 
flowers,  while  it  forgets  the  mars  and  the  thorns: 
the  novelty  of  the  thing  had  also  worn  away.  Brain- 
erd  knew,  from  experience,  the  nature  of  a  mission 
ary  life:  for  a  year  he  had  been  placed  in  the  most 
untoward  circumstances;  shut  out  from  society;  des> 
tiiute  of  every  earthly  comfort;  he  had  to  struggle 
with  the  ignorance  and  depravity  of  barbarians! 
and  in  the  work  dear  to  his  heart  lie  received  also 
very  little  encouragement:  yet,  notwithstanding  all 
this  bitter  experience,  he  was  willing  to  encounter 
the  same  and  greater  hardships:  he  drank  into  the 
apostolic  spirit;  and  the  noble  language  of  Paul 
was  the  language  of  his  conduct:  ".None  of  these 
things/ move  mo;  neither  count  1  my  life  dear  unto 
myself,  so  that  I  may  finish  my  course  with  joy." 
Had  he  been  disposed*  he  could  have  made  the 
retreat  honorable;  especially  as  at  this  period  he 
received  two  very  pressing  invitations  to  the  pasto 
ral  office;  and  one  was  from  Easthampton,  the  finest, 
pleasantcst  town  in  Long  Island,  and  one  of  its 
largest  and  most  wealthy  parishes.  But  the  charms 
of  civilized  society;  the  intercourse  of  Christian 
friendship;  the  prospect  of  emolument  and  honor 
among  men,  were  all  lost  upon  the  devoted  spirit  of 
Brainerd:  to  these  he  preferred  a  "wigwam"  among 
brutish  savages;  an  exile  from  his  native  land;  the 
loneliness  of  a  dreary  solitude:  the  difficulties  and 
intense  labors  of  an  Indian  mission.  Having  resolved 
on  the  field  of  his  subsequent  labors,  he  returned  to 
Kaunaumeek,  to  prepare  for  his  final  departure; 
and  when  he  had  settled  his  affairs,  he  commenced 
a  long  and  dreary  journey  to  the  forks  of  Delaware. 
And  extract  from  his  diary,  and  from  his  lettrr  to 
Mr.  Pemberton,  before  quoted,  will  describe  all  that 
"occurred  of  importance  «!i:';ug  this  journey,  as  well 
as  the  manner  in  which  IIP  was  received  among  the 
Indians,  to  whom  he  was  sent. 

"May  1.  Having  receixed  new  orders  to  go  to  the 
Indians  on  Delaware  river,  in  Pennsylvania;  and  my 


!LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  69 

people  here  being  mostly  removed  to  Mr.  Serjeant's, 
I  this  day  took  ail  my  clothes,  books,  &c.  and  dis 
posed  of  them,  and  set  out  tor  Delaware  river;  but 
made  it  in  my  way  to  return  to  Mr.  Serjeant's, 
\vhich  I  did  this  day,  just  at  night,  1  rode  several 
hours  in  the  rain  through  the  howling  wilderness,  al 
though  1  was  so  disordered  in  body,  that  little  or. 
nothing  but  blood  came  from  me. 

"Tuesday,  May  8.  I  spent  much  of  my  time, 
while  riding,  in  prayer,  that  God  would  go  with  me 
to  Delaware.  My  heart  sometimes  was  ready  to  sink 
with  the  thoughts  of  my  work,  and  going  alone,  in 
the  wilderness  1  knew  not  where:  but  still  it  was 
comfortable  to  think,  that  others  of  God's  children 
had  'wandered  about  in  caves  and  dens  of  the  earth;* 
and  Abraham,  when  he  was  called  to  go  forth,  'went 
out,  not  knowing  whither  he  went.' 

"On  May  10,  I  met  with  a  number  of  Indians  in 
a  place  called  Minnissinks,  about  an  hundred  and 
forty  miles  from  Kaunaumeek,  and  directly  in  my 
way  to  Delaware  river.  With  these  Indians  I  spent 
some  time,  first  addressing  their  king  in  a  friendly 
manner;  and  after  some  discourse,  I  told  him  I  had 
a  desire  to  instruct  them  in  Christianity:  at  which  he 
laughed,  and  turned  his  back  upon  me,  and  went 
away.  I  then  addressed  another  principal  man  in. 
the  same  manner,  who  said  he  was  willing  to  hear 
me.  After  some  time,  1  followed  the  king  into  his 
house,  and  renewed  my  discourse  to  him;  but  he  de 
clined  talking,  and  left  the  affair  to  another,  who  ap 
peared  to  be  a  rational  man.  He  talked  very  warm 
ly,  and  inquired  why  I  desired  the  Indians  to  become 
Christians,  seeing  the  Christians  were  so  much  worse 
than  the  Indians.  The  Christians,  he  said,  would 
lie,  steal,  and  drink,  worse  than  the  Indians.  It  was 
they  that  first  taught  the  Indians  to  be  drunk;  and 
they  stole  from  one  another  to  that  degree,  that  their 
rulers  were  obliged  to  hang  them  for  it,  and  that  was 
not  sufficient  to.  deter  others  from  the  like  practice. 
But  the  Indians,  he  added,  were  none  of  them  ever 
hanged  for  stealing;  and  lie  supposed  that  if  the 
7 


70  LIFE    01?   BSA1NERD. 

Indians  should  become  Christians,  they  then  would  be 
as  bad  as   these.     He  added,   that  they  Mould  live  as 
their  father s  lived,  and  go  to  tlwir  fathers  when  they 
died.     I  then  freely   owned,  lamented,  and  joined  in 
condemning  the  ill  conduct  of  some  who  are  called 
Christians;  told  him,  these  were  not  Christians  in 
heart;  that  I  hated  such  wicked  practices,  and  did  not 
desire  the  Indians  to  become  such  as  these.     When 
lie  appeared  calmer,  1   asked  him  if  he  was  willing 
that  I  should  come  and  see  them  again:  he  replied 
lie  should  be  willing  to  see  me  again  as  &  friend,  if  I 
would  not  desire  them  to  become  Christians.     1  then 
bid   them  farewell,  and  prosecuted  my  journey  to 
wards  Delaware.     May  13,   I  arrived  at   a  place, 
called  by    the    Indians  Sakhauwotung,  within  the 
Forks  of  Delaware,  in  Pennsylvania. 

"Here  also,  when  I  came  to  the  Indians,  I  saluted 
their  king  in  a  manner  I  thought  most  engaging; 
and  soon  after,  informed  him  of  my  desire  to  instruct 
them  in  the  Christian  religion.  After  he  had  consult 
ed  a  few  minutes  with  two  or  three  old  men,  he  told 
me  he  was  willing  to  hear.  I  then  preached  to  those 
few  that  were  present,  who  appeared  very  attentive. 
And  the  king  in  particular  seemed  both  to  wonder, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  to  be  well  pleased  with  what  I 
taught  them,  respecting  the  Divine  Being.  Arid 
since  that  time  he  has  ever  show  n  himself  friendly  to 
me,  giving  me  free  liberty  to  preach  in  his  house 
whenever  I  think  fit.  Here  therefore  I  spent  the 
greater  part  of  the  summer,  preaching  usually  in  the 
king's  house.' 

"The  number  of  Indians  in  this  place  is  but  small; 
most  of  those  that  formerly  belonged  here  are  re 
moved  far  bark  into  the  country.  There  are  not 
more  than  ten  houses  hereabouts  that  continue  to  be 
inhabited;  and  some  of  these  are  several  miles  distant 
from  others,  which  makes  it  difficult  for  the  Indians 
to  meet  together  so  frequently  as  could  be  desired. 

"When  I  first  began  to  preach  liere^  the  number  of 
hearers  was  very  small:  often  not  exceeding  twenty, 
pr  twenty-five  persons:  but  towards  the  latter  part 


!TFE    OF   BBAINERD.  71 

of  the  summer,  their  number  increased,  so  that  I  have 
frequently  had  forty  persons,  or  more,  at  once:  and 
of  the  most  of  those  belonging  to  those  parts. 

"The  effects,  which  the  truths  of  God's  word  have 
had  upon  some  of  the  Indians  in  this  place,  are  some 
what  encouraging.  Sundry  of  them  are  brought  to 
renounce  idolatry,  and  to  decline  partaking  of  those 
feasts  which  they  used  to  offer  in  sacrifice  to  certain 
supposed  unknown  powers.  And  some  few  instances 
among  them  have  for  a  considerable  time  manifested 
a  serious  concern  for  their  soul's  eternal  welfare, 
and  still  continue  to  inquire  the  way  to  Zion  with 
such  diligence,  affection,  and  becoming  solicitude,  as 
gives  me  reason  to  Impo,  that  God  who,  I  trust,  has 
begun  this  work  in  them,  will  carry  it  on  until  it 
shall  issue  in  their  saving  conversion  to  himself.' 
These  not  only  detest  their  old  idolatrous  notions, 
but  strive  also  to  bring  their  friends  off  from  them. 
And  as  they  are  seeking  salvation  for  their  own 
souls,  so  they  seem  desirous,  and  some  of  them  take 
pains,  that  others  might  be  excited  to  do  the  like. 

"Lord's-day,  May  13.  I  rose  very  early;  felt 
very  poorly  after  my  long  journey,  and  after  being 
wet  and  fatigued.  I  have  scarce  ever  seen  such  a 
gloomy  morning  in  my  life;  there  appeared  to  be  no 
Sabbath;  the  children  were  all  at  play!  I  a  stranger 
in  the  wilderness,  and  knew  not  where  to  go;  and  all 
circumstances  seemed  to  conspire  to  render  my 
affairs  dark  and  discouraging.  I  mourned  after  the 
presence  of  God,  and  seemed  like  a  creature  banish 
ed  from  his  sight.  Yet  he  was  pleased  to  support  my 
sinking  soul,  amidst  all  my  sorrows;  so  that  I  never 
entertained  any  thought  of  quitting  my  business 
among  the  poor  Indians:  but  was  comforted  to  think 
that  death  would  ere  long  set  me  free  from  these  dis 
tresses.  I  rode  about  three  miles  to  the  Irish  people, 
where  I  found  some  that  appeared  sober  and  concern 
ed  about  religion.  My  heart  then  began  to  be  a  little 
encouraged:  I  preached  first  to  the  Irish  and  then  to 
the  Indians;  in  the  evening  was  a  little  comforted; 
my  soul  seemed  to  rest  on  God,  and  take  courage. 


7&  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

O  that  the  I^ord  would  be  my  support  and  comforter 
in  an  evil  world! 

"14.  1  felt  myself  loose  from  all  the  world;  all  ap 
peared  'vanity  and  vexation  of  spirit.'  I  seemed 
lonesome,  as  it'  1  was  banished  from  all  mankind,  and 
bereaved  of  all  that  is  railed  pleasurable  in  the  world; 
but  appeared  to  myself  so  vile  and  unworthy  it 
seemed  fitter  for  me  to  be  here  than  any  where  else. 

"17.  1  was  greatly  distressed  with  a  sense  of  my 
vilemss;  appearing  to  myself  too  bad  to  walk  on 
God's  earth.  God  WHS  pleased  to  let  me  see  my 
inward  pollution  to  such  a  degree,  that  I  almost 
despaired  of  being  made  holy.  In  the  afternoon  I 
met  with  the  Indians,  and  preached  to  them.  My 
soul  seemed  to  confide  in  God;  and  had  some  en 
largement  in  prayer:  vital  piety  and  holiness  appear 
ed  sweet  to  me,  and  I  longed  for  the  perfection  of  it. 

"May  20.  1  preached  to  the  poor  Indians,  and 
enjoyed  some  freedom  in  speaking.  My  soul  longed 
for  assistance  from  above,  all  the  while;  for  I  saw  I 
had  no  strength  for  that  \vork«  Afterwards  1  preach 
ed  to  the  Irish  people;  and  several  seemed  much 
concerned,  with  whom  I  discoursed  afterwards  with 
freedom  and  power.  Blessed  be  God  for  any  assist 
ance  to  an  unworthy  worm. 

"27.  I  visited  my  Indians  in  the  morning,  and  at 
tended  upon  a  funeral  among  them,  -was  affected  to 
see  their  heathenish  practices.  O  that  they  might  be 
turned  from  darkness  to  light!  Afterwards  1  got  a 
considerable  number  of  them  together,  and  preached  to 
them:  and  observed  them  very  attentive.  I  then  preach 
ed  to  the  white  people,  and  several  seemed  much  con 
cerned,  especially  one  who  had  been  educated  a 
Roman  catholic.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  any  help." 

In  this  situation  Mr.  Braincrd  did  not  continue  a 
month  before  he  was  summoned  to  Newark,  to  meet 
the  presbytery,  who  were  engaged  solemnly  to  desig 
nate  him  to  his  office,  as  missionary  among  the  In 
dians.  The  day  of  ordination  is  a  memorable  jera 
in  the  life  of  a  minister;  it  is  a  period  to  which  he 
usually  looks  forward  with  trembling  apprehension, 


or  BRAINEHB.  73 

the  approach  of  which  leads  him  to  the  most  serious 
self-scrutiny,  as  to  his  motives,  his  qualifications,  his 
call  to  the  work,  and  "the  necessity  that  is  laid  upon 
him;"  and  the  review  of  which,  after  it  is  past,  often 
agitates  him  with  the  mixed  sensations  of  shame  and 
gratitude;  and  every  minister  will  sympathize  with 
him  in  the  following  disclosure  of  his  feelings  on  this 
occasion. 

"June  11.  This  day  the  presbytery  met  at  New 
ark,  in  order  to  my  ordination.  I  was  very  weak 
and  disordered  in  body;  yet  endeavored  to  repose  my 
confidence  in  God.  1  preached  my  probation  ser 
mon,  from  Acts  xxvi,  17,  18,  being  a  text  given  me 
for  that  end.  Afterwards  I  passed  an  examination 
before  the  presbytery.  My  mind  was  burdened  with 
the  greatness  of  that  charge  I  was  about  to  take  up 
on  me:  so  that  I  could  not  sleep  tiiis  night,  though 
very  weary  and  in  great  need  of  rest. 

"12.  I  was  this  morning  further  examined  re 
specting  my  experimental  acquaintance  with  Chris 
tianity.  At  ten  o'clock  my  ordination  was  attended; 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  Mr.  Pemberton.  At 
this  time  I  was  affected  with  a  sense  of  the  important 
trust  committed  to  me;  yet  was  composed  and  solemn 
without  distraction:  and  I  then  (as  many  times  before) 
gave  myself  up  to  God,  to  be  for  him,  and  riot  for  anoth 
er.  O  that  I  might  always  be  engaged  in  the  service  of 
God,  and  duly  remember  the  solemn  charge  I  have 
received  in  the  presence  of  God,  angels,  and  men." 

Few  men,  perhaps,  ever  passed  through  an  ordina 
tion  service,  with  greater  satisfaction  to  all  parties, 
than  Brainerd.  Mr.  Pemberton,  in  a  letter  to  the 
honorable  Society  in  Scotland,  by  whom  he  was  em 
ployed,  paid  him  this  just  and  warm  tribute  of  affec 
tion  and  respect. 

"We  can  with  pleasure  say,  that  Mr.  Brainerd 
passed  through  his  ordination  trials  to  the  universal 
approbation  of  the  presbytery,  and  appeared  uncom 
monly  qualified  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  fie 
seems  to  be  armed  with  a  great  deal  of  self-denial, 
and  animated  with  a  noble  zeal  to  propagate  the 


f4  XIFJE    OF   BllAIffEKD. 

Gospel  among   those  barbarous  nations,  who  have 
long  dwelt  in  the  darkness  of  heathenism." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

«Mh  Braincrd's  return  to  Delaware.  Extracts  from 
his  JJiary.  His  journies  to  dijjferent  places.  His 
preaching  and  success*  as  related  by  himself,  as  Jar 
as  to  the  close  of  his  Jirst  journey  to  Susqnahannak 
river.  Another  journey  to  J\c.rv  England.  Us  ob 
ject*  A  second  journey  to  Susquahamwh.  His  re 
turn.  His  arrival  at  Crosiveeksung. 

IT  was  mentioned,  in  commendation  of  a  generous 
female  in  the  Gospel,  by  her  compassionate  Redeem 
er,  <4Shc  hath  done  what  she  could."  It  is  a  com 
mendation  which  few  deserve;  arid  happy  is  that 
minister  who  on  a  review  of  his  life  can  say,  that  his 
Lours,  his  talents,  and  his  whole  soul,  have  been  de 
voted  to  the  service  of  his  God.  The  utmost  we  can 
do  is  very  little,  and  how  hitler  the  reflection,  that 
even  that  little  has  not  been  accomplished:  that  we 
have  wasted  that  time  on  trifles  which  should  have 
been  devoted  to  souls,  and  those  energies  in  the  airy 
concerns  of  the  world,  which  ought  to  have  been  ex 
hausted  in  the  pursuit  of  the  substantial  glories  of 
Messiah's  kingdom.  Alas,  how  few  imbibe  the  spirit 
of  their  Redeemer,  who  exclaimed,  "My  Father 
worketh  hitherto,  and  I  woik."  Yet  in  this,  as  in 
every  thing,  allowing  for  human  infirmity,  David 
.Brainerd  followed  his  great  exemplar.  The  abun 
dance  of  his  labors,  the  intenseness  of  his  application, 
and  the  constancy  of  his  perseverance  in  forwarding 
the  great  object  of  his  mission,  are  truly  astonishing. 
And  what  Foster  says  of  Howard  as  a  philanthropist, 
applies  with  equal  force  to  Brainerd  as  a  missionary. 
And  in  turning  to  the  passage  (1  hope  the  author  will 
forgive  me  that  it  was  not  written  on  the  tablet  of  my 
memory)  I  find  that  Brainerd  rose  to  his  view  when 


OF  BRAIXEKB.  75 

lie  was  penning  his  warm  and  divine  eulogy  on  the 
character  of  Howard.  "The  energy  of  his  determi 
nation  was  so  great,  that  if,  instead  of  being  habitual, 
it  had  been  shown  only  for  a  short  time  on  particular 
occasions,  it  would  have  appeared  a  vehement  impet 
uosity;  but  by  bcingunintermitted,  it  had  an  equability 
of  manner  which  scarcely  appeared  to  exceed  the 
tone  of  a  calm  constancy:  it  was  so  total!  v  the  reverse 
of  any  thing  like  turbulence  or  agitation.  It  was 
the  calmness  of  an  intensity,  kept  uniform  b)  the  na 
ture  of  the  human  mind  forbidding  it  to  be  more, 
and  by  the  character  of  the  individual  forbidding  it 
to  be  less."  His  conduct  '-implied  an  inconceivable 
severity  of  conviction,  that  he  had  one  thing  to  do;  and 
that  he  v%ho  would  do  some  great  thing  in  this  snort 
life,  must  apply  himself  to  the  work  with  such  a  con 
centration  of  his  forces,  as  to  idle  spectators,  who 
live  only  to  amuse  themselves,  looks  like  insanity." 
iirainerd,  indeed,  "displayed  a  memorable  example 
of  this  dedication  of  his  whole  being  to  his  office,  this 
eternal  abjuration  of  the  quiescent  feelings." 

A  few  days  after  his  ordination,  Mr.  Brainerd  re 
solved  on  returning  home  to  his  Indians  at  the  Forks 
of  Delaware,  but  was  detained  by  sickness  till  the 
19tb  of  June.  Every  thing  excited  in  his  bosom 
pious  sensations;  and  of  this  painful  detention  from 
his  favorite  employment  he  made  the  following  sweet 
improvement.  "1  often  Admired  the  goodness  of 
God  that  he  did  not  suffer  me  to  proceed  on  my 
journey  from  this  place  (Elizabethtown)  where  I 
was  so  tenderly  used,  ana  to  be  sick  by  the  way 
among  strangers.  God  is  very  gracious  to  me  in 
health  and  sickness,  and  intermingles  much  mercy 
with  all  my  afflictions  and  toils.  Knjoyed  some 
sweetness  in  things  divine,  in  the 'midst  of  my  pain 
aod  weakness.  Oh  that  I  could  praise  the  Lord/*' 
In  three  days  he  reached  the  place  of  his  destination. 
The  following  extracts  \\ill  be  interesting  to  the 
pious  reader,  and  will  teach  us  how  to  fee),  and  to 
pray,  for  tiie  missionaries  of  Jesus. 


76  I.IFE    OF   BRAIXERD. 

"Lord's-day,  June  24.  I  was  scarce  able  to  walk: 
however,  visited  my  Indians  and  look  much  pains  to 
instruct  them.  But  my  mind  was  burdened  with  the 
weight  of  my  work.  My  whole  dependence  was  on 
God;  who  alone  could  make  them  willing  to  receive 
instruction.  My  heart  was  much  engaged  in  send 
ing  up  silent  requests  to  God,  even  while  I  was 
speaking  to  them.  O  that  1  could  always  go  in  the 
strength  of  the  Lord! 

"25.  To  an  eye  of  reason  every  thing  that  re 
spects  the  conversion  of  the  Heathen  is  as  dark  as 
midnight,  and  yet  I  cannot  but  hope  in  God  for  the 
accomplishment  of  something  glorious  among  them. 
My  soul  longed  much  for  the  advancement  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom  on  earth,  and  was  very  fearful, 
lest  I  should  admit  some  vain  thought,  and  so  lose 
the  sense  1  had  of  divine  things.  O  for  an  abiding 
heavenly  temper! 

"26.  I  was  much  discouraged  with  the  extreme 
difficulty  of  the  work;  yet  God  supported  me;  and 
though  the  work  of  their  conversion  appeared  impos 
sible  with  man,  yet  with  God  I  saw  all  things  were 
possible.  My  faith  was  much  strengthened,  by  ob 
serving  the  wonderful  assistance  God  afforded  Nelie- 
miah  and  Ezra,  in  reforming  his  people,  and  re-es 
tablishing  his  ancient  church.  I  was  much  assisted 
in  prayer,  especially  for  the  poor  Heathen  and  those 
of  my  own  charge:  and  hoped  that  God  would  bow 
the  heavens  and  come  down  for  their  salvation.  It 
seemed  to  me,  there  could  be  no  impediment  to  ob 
struct  that  glorious  work,  seeing  the  living  God,  as  I 
strongly  hoped,  was  engaged  for  it.  I  continued 
solemnly  liftiag  up  my  heart  to  God,  that  I  might  he 
more  mortified  to  this  world,  that  my  soul  might  be 
taken  up  continually  in  the  advancement  of  Christ's 
kingdom;  and  longed  that  God  would  purge  me 
more,  that  I  might  be  as  a  chosen  vessel  to  bear  his 
name  among  the  Heathen. 

"27.  In  the  afternoon  I  rode  several  miles  to  see 
if  I  could  procure  any  lands  for  the  poor  Indians, 
that  they  might  live  together,  and  be  under  better  ad- 


LIFE    OF    BRAIKERB.  TT 

vantages  For  instruction.  I  had  a  deep  sense  of  the 
difficulty  of  my  work;  and  my  soul  relied  wholly 
upon  God  for  succesg,  ia  the  diligent  and  faithful  use 
of  means.  I  saw  with  the  greatest  certainty,  that 
Hie  arm  of  the  Lord  must  be  revealed,  for  the  help  of 
these  poor  Heathens,  if  ever  they  were  delivered 
from  the  bondage  of  the  powers  of  darkness. 

«28.  Towards  noon  1  rode  to  the  Indians;  and 
while  going,  my  heart  went  up  to  God  in  prayer  for 
them;  I  could  freely  tell  God  he  knew  the  cause  was 
not  mine,  but  his  own,  and  it  would  be  for  his  own 
glory  to  convert  the  poor  Indians:  and  blessed  be 
God,  I  felt  no  desire  of  honor  from  the  world,  as  the 
instrument  of  it. 

"30,  My  soul  was  much  solemnized  in  reading 
God's  word;  especially  the  ninth  chapter  of  Daniel. 
I  saw  how  God  had  called  out,  his  servants  to  prayer, 
and  made  them  wrestle  with  him,  when  he  designed 
to  bestow  any  great  mercy  on  his  church.  And  I 
was  ashamed  of  myself,  to  think  of  my  dulness  and 
inactivity,  when  there  seemed  to  be  so  much  to  do  for 
the  upbuilding  of  Zion.  Oh,  how  does  Ziori  lie 
waste!  I  longed,  that  the  church  of  God  might  be 
enlarged:  and  was  enabled  to  pray,  in  faith;  my  soul 
sensibly  confided  in  God,  and  was  enabled  to  wres 
tle  with  him.  Afterwards,  I  went  to  a  place  of  re 
tirement,  and  enjoyed  assistance  in  prayer  again: 
had  a  sense  of  my  great  need  of  Divine  help,  and 
felt  my  soul  sensibly  depend  on  God. 

** Lord's- day j  July  1.  Alter  I  came  to  the  In 
dians,  my  mind  was  confused;  and  I  felt  nothing  of 
that  sweet  reliance  on  God,  that  my  soul  has  been 
comforted  with  in  days  past.  In  the  afternoon  I  felt 
still  barren:  when  I  began  to  preach,  1  seemed  to 
myself  to  know  nothing,  and  to  have  nothing  to  say 
to  the  Indians;  but  soon  after,  I  found  a  spirit  of 
love,  and  warmth,  and  power,  to  address  the  poor 
Indians;  and  God  helped  me  to  plead  witii  them,  to 
turn  from  all  the  vanities  of  the  Heathen,  to  the  liv 
ing  God.  I  am  persuaded,  the  Lord  touched  their 
consciences;  for  I  never  saw  such  attention  in  them 


78  LIFE    OF   BRAINEED. 

before.  When  I  came  away,  I  spent  the  whole  time 
J  was  riding  in  prayer  and  praise  to  God.  Alter  1 
had  rode  two  miles?  it  came  into^fiy  mind  to  dedicate 
myself  to  God  again;  which  I  did  with  great  solem 
nity,  and  unspeakable  satisfaction;  especially  giving 
up  myself  to  him  anew  in  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
And  this  I  did  without  any  exception  or  reserve;  not 
in  the  least  shrinking  hack  from  any  difficulties,  that 
might  attend  this  hlessed  work.  I  was  most  free, 
cheerful,  ami  full  in  this  dedication  of  myself.  My 
whole  soul  cried,  'Lord,  to  thee  I  dedicate  myself:  O 
accept  of  me,  and  let  me  he  thine  for  ever.  Lord,  I 
desire  nothing  more.  O  come,  come  Lord,  accept  a 
poor  worm.  Whom  have  f  in  heaven  but  thee?  and 
there  is  none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee.' 
I  was  enabled  to  praise  God  with  my  whole  soul,  that 
lie  had  enabled  me  to  consecrate  all  my  powers  to 
him  in  this  solemn  manner.  I  rejoiced  in  my  par 
ticular  work  as  a  missionary:  rejoiced  in  my  neces 
sity  of  self-denial;  and  still  continued  to  give  up  my 
self  to  God;  praying  incessantly,  every  moment, 
with  sweet  fervency.  My  nature  being  very  weak 
of  late,  was  now  considerably  overcome:  my  fingers 
grew  very  feeble,  so  that  I  could  scarcely  stretch 
them  out  straight:  and  when  lighted  from  my  horse, 
I  could  hardly  walk;  my  joints  seeming  all  to  be 
loosed.  Rut  I  felt  abundant  strength  of  the  inner 
man.  I  preached  to  the  white  people,  and  God 
helped  me  much.  Sundry  of  my  poor  Indians  were 
so  moved  as  to  come  to  meeting  also:  and  one 
appeared  much  concerned. 

"6.  f  am,  of  late,  most  of  all  concerned  for  min 
isterial  qualifications,  and  the  conversion  of  the 
Heathen:  last  year,  I  longed  to  be  prepared  for  the 
world  of  glory,  and  speedily  to  depart  (tut  of  this 
world;  but  of  late  my  chief  concern  is  for  the  con 
version  of  the  Heathen;  and  for  that  end  I  long  to 
live.  But  blessed  he  God,  I  have  less  desire  to  live 
for  any  of  the  pleasures  of  the  world,  than  ever  ! 
had:  I  long  and  love  to  be  a  pilgrim;  and  want  graro 
to  imitate  the  life,  labors,  and  sufferings  of  St.  Pawl 


I.IFE    OF   BEAINERII.  79 

among  the  Heathen.  And  when  I  long  for  holiness 
now,  it  is  chiefly,  that  thereby  1  may  become  an 
«able  minister  of  the  New  Testament,'  especially  to 
the  Heathen.  I  spent  two  hours  this  morning  in 
reading  and  prayer;  and  was  in  a  watchful  tender 
frame,  afraid  of  every  thing  that  might  cool  my 
affections,  and  draw  away  my  heart  from  God. 

"21.  Towards  night  my  burden  respecting  my 
work  among  the  Indians  began  to  increase  much;  and 
was  aggravated  by  hearing  sundry  tilings  that  look 
ed  very  discouraging,  in  particular,that  they  intended 
to  meet  together  the  next  day  for  an  idolatrous  feast 
and  dance.  Then  1  began  to  be  in  anguish:  I  thought  I 
must  in  conscience  go  and  endeavor  to  break  them  up; 
and  knew  not  how  to  attempt  such  a  thing.  How 
ever,  I  withdrew  to  prayer,  hoping  for  strength  from 
above.  And  in  prayer  1  was  exceedingly  enlarged, 
and  my  soul  was  much  drawn  out.  1  pleaded  with 
so  much  earnestness  and  importunity,  that  when  I 
rose  from  my  knees,  I  could  scarcely  walk  straight, 
my  joints  were  loosed,  the  sweat  ran  down  my  lace 
and  body,  and  nature  seemed  as  if  it  would  dissolve. 
I  knew  they  were  met  together  to  worship  devils,  and 
not  God,  and  this  made  me  cry  earnestly,  that  God 
would  appear  and  help  me  in  my  attempts  to  break 
up  this  idolatrous  meeting.  My  soul  pleaded  long; 
and  I  thought  God  would  go  with  me  to  vindicate  his 
own  cause:  and  thus  I  spent  the  evening,  praying 
incessantly  that  I  might  not  be  self-dependent,  but 
have  my  whole  dependence  upon  God.  What  I 
passed  through  was  inexpressible.  All  things  here 
below  vanished;  and  there  appeared  to  be  nothing  of 
any  importance  to  me,  but  holiness  of  heart  arid  life, 
and  the  conversion  of  the  Heathen  to  God.  All  my 
eares,  fears,  and  desires,  which  might  be  said  to  be 
of  a  worldly  nature  disappeared:  and  were  of  little 
more  importance,  than  a  puff  of  wind.  I  exceed 
ingly  longed,  that  God  would  get  to  himself  a  name 
among  the  Heathen;  and  I  appealed  to  him  with  the 
greatest  freedom,  that  he  knew  I  'preferred  him 
$bove  my  chief  joy.'  Indeed  I  had  no  notion  of  joy 


80  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

from  this  world;  I  cared  not  where  or  how  1  lived, 
or  what  hardships  1  went  through,  so  that  I  could 
but  gain  souls  to  Christ. 

"Lord's -da^,  22.  When  I  waked,  my  soul  was 
burdened  with  what  seemed  to  he  before  me;  1  cried 
to  God,  before  I  could  get  out  of  bed:  as  soon  as  I 
was  dressed,  1  withdrew  into  the  woods,  to  pour  out 
my  soul  to  him  for  assistance;  and  did  with  unspeak 
able  freedom  give  up  myself  afresh  to  God,  for  life 
or  death,  for  all  hardships  he  should  call  me  to 
among  the  Heathen;  and  felt  as  if  nothing  could  dis 
courage  my  hope  from  this  blessed  work.  I  had  a 
strong  hope,  that  God  would  'bow  the  heavens  and 
come  down,'  and  do  some  marvellous  work  among 
the  Heathen.  Arid  when  I  was  riding  to  the  Indians, 
my  heart  was.  continually  going  up  to  God;  and 
hoping,  that  God  would  make  this  the  day  of  his 
power  and  grace  amongst  t5ie  poor  Indians.  "When 
I  came  to  them,  I  found  them  engaged  in  their  frolic; 
but  through  Divine  goodness,  I  got  them  to  break  up 
and  attend  my  preaching;  yet  still  there  appeared 
nothing-  of  the  special  power  of  God  among  them. 
I  preached  again  to  them  in  the  afternoon:  and  ob 
served  they  were  more  sober  than  before;  but  still 
saw  nothing  special  among  them;  from  whence 
satan  took  occasion  to  buffet  me  with  cursed  sugges 
tions,  'there  is  no  God,  or  if  there  be  he  is  not  able 
to  convert  the  Indians,  before  they  have  more  knov/I- 
edge.*  I  was  very  weak  and  weary,  and  rny  soul 
borne  down  with  perplexity;  but  was  determined 
still  to  wait  upon  God." 

His  engagements  about  this  time  will  appear  from 
the  account  which  he  wrote  to  Mr.  Pemberton,  which, 
as  it  \\ill  continue  the  narrative,  I  will  here  tran 
scribe. 

"In  July  last,  I  heard  of  a  number  of  Indians  re 
siding  at  the  place  called  Kauksesauchung,  more 
tiian  thirty  miles  westward  from  the  place  where  I 
usually  preach.  I  visited  them,  though  in  order  to 
reach  them  it  was  necessary  to  cross  a  hideous 
mountain,  found  about  thirty  persons,  and  proposed 


OF  BBAINERD.  81 

my  desire  of  preaching  to  them;  they  readily  com 
plied,  and  I  preached  to  them  only  twice,  they  being 
just  then  removing  from  this  place,  where  they  only 
lived  for  the  present,  to  Susquahannah  river,  where 
they  belonged. 

"While  I  was  preaching,  they  appeared  sober  and 
attentive:  and  were  somewhat  surprised,  having  nev 
er  before  heard  of  such  things.  There  were  two  or 
three  who  suspected,  that  I  had  some  ill  design  upon 
them;  and  urged  that  the  white  people  had  abused 
them,  and  taken  their  lands  from  them,  and  there 
fore  they  had  no  reason  to  think  that  they  were  now 
concerned  for  their  happiness:  but  on  the  contrary 
that  they  designed  to  make  them  slaves,  or  get  them 
on  board  their  vessels,  and  make  them  fight  with  the 
people  over  the  water,  (as  they  expressed  it,)  mean 
ing  the  French  and  Spaniards.  However  the  most 
of  them  appeared  very  friendly,  and  told  me  they 
were  then  going  directly  home  to  Susquahannah,  and 
desired  1  would  make  them  a  visit  there,  and  mani 
fested  a  considerable  desire  of  farther  instruction. 
This  invitation  gave  me  some  encouragement  in  my 
great  work;  and  made  me  hope  that  God  designed 
to  open  an  effectual  door  to  me  for  spreading  the 
Gospel  among  the  poor  Heathen  further  westward.'* 

His  diary,  at  this  time,  represents  him  as  dejected 
in  mind,  and  afflicted  in  body,  while  he  was  with 
these  Indians,  and  actively  engaged  to  promote  their 
eternal  happiness;  he  complains,  "I  was  weak  and 
felt  something  disconsolate:  yet  could  have  no  free 
dom  in  the  thought  of  any  other  circumstances,  or 
business  of  life:  all  my  desire  was  the  conversion  of 
the  Heathen,  and  all  my  hope  was  in  God.  God 
does  not  suffer  me  to  please  or  comfort  myself  with 
hopes  of  seeing  friends,  returning  to  my  dear  ac 
quaintance,  and  enjoying  worldly  comforts."  On 
Thursday  he  returned  home  exceedingly  fatigued 
and  spent;  still  in  the  same  frame  of  mortification 
to  the  world,  and  solicitous  for  the  advancement  of 
Christ's  kingdom.  The  two  remaining  days  of  the 
week,  he  was  most  seriously  indisposed,  and  on  the 
8 


62  LIFE    OF   BRAINF.RD. 

Sabbath  he  was  confined  to  his  cottage.  He  was  ex 
tremely  ill  for  nearly  a  month,  and  then  gradually 
recovered.  In  his  diary  of  the  first  and  second 
weeks,  we  meet  with  these  affecting  lines. 

«'l  think  1  never  before  endured  such  a  season  of 
distressing  weakness;  my  nature  is  so  spent,  that  I 
can  neither  stand,  sit,  nor  lie  with  any  quiet;  1  am 
exercised  with  extreme  faintness  and  sickness  at  my 
stomach;  and  my  mind  is  as  much  disordered  as  my 
body,  seeming  to  be  stupid,  and  without  all  kind  of 
affections;  and  yet  perplexed  to  think  that  I  live  for 
nothing,  that  precious  time  rolls  away,  and  1  can  do 
nothing  but  trifle. 

<*0n  Lord's-day,  August  5.  Was  still  very  poor 
ly.  But  though  very  weak,  I  visited  and  preached 
to  the  poor  Indians  twice,  and  was  strengthened 
vastly  beyond  rny  expectations,  And  indeed,  the 
Lord  gave  me  freedom  and  fervency  in  addressing 
them;  and  though  I  had  not  strength  enough  to  stand, 
but  was  obliged  to  sit  down  the  whole  time.  Towards 
night  I  was  extremely  weak,  faint,  sick,  and  full  of 
pain.  And  I  have  continued  much  the  same  last 
week,  through  the  most  of  this,  (it  being  now  Fri 
day,)  unable  to  engage  in  any  business;  frequently 
unable  to  pray  in  the  family.  I  have  neither  strength 
to  read,  meditate,  nor  pray:  and  this  perplexes  my 
mind.  I  seem  like  a  man  that  has  all  his  estate  em 
barked  in  one  small  boat,  unhappily  going  adrift 
down  a  swift  current.  The  poor  owner  stands  on 
shore  and  looks  and  laments  his  loss.  But  alas! 
though  all  seems  to  be  adrift,  and  J  stand  and  see  it, 
1  dare  not  lament;  for  this  sinks  my  spirits  more, 
and  aggravates  my  bodily  disorders.  O  that  God 
would  pity  my  distressed  state!" 

Tuesday  after  his  return  he  wrote  the  following 
truly  spiritual  and  affectionate  letter  to  a  special 
friend. 


1IFE    OF   BRAINERD.  83 


LETTER. 

Forks  of  Delaware,  July  31,  1744. 

••Certainly  the  greatest,  the  noblest  pleasure  of 
intelligent  creatures  must  result  from  their  acquaint 
ance  with  the  blessed  God,  and  with  their  own  im 
mortal  souls.     And  oh,  how  divinely  sweet  is   it,  to 
look  into  our  own  souls,  when  we  can  find  all  our 
passions  united  and  engaged  in  pursuit  after  God, 
our  whole  souls  passionately  breathing  after  a  con 
formity  to  him,  and  the  full  enjoyment  of  him!  Verily 
there  are  no  hours  pass  away  with  so  much  pleasure, 
as  t!y>se  that  are  spent  in  communing  with  God,  and 
our  own  hearts.     Oh,  how  sweet  is  a  spirit  of  devo 
tion,  a  spirit  of  seriousness  and  Divine  solemnity,  a 
spirit  of  Gospel  simplicity,  love,  tenderness!     Oh, 
how  desirable,  and  how  profitable  to  the  Christian 
life,  is  a  spirit  of  holy  watchfulness,  and  godly  jeal 
ousy  over  ourselves;  when  we  are  afraid  of  nothing 
so  much  as  that  we  shall  grieve  and  offend  the  bless 
ed  God,   whom    we  apprehend  to  be  a  father  and 
friend;    whom    we  then   love   and   long   to   please! 
Surely  this  is  a  temper,  worthy  of  the  highest  ambi 
tion   and   closest   pursuit   of   intelligent   creatures. 
Oh,  how  greatly  superior  is  the  peace,  arid  satisfac 
tion  derived  from  these  Divine  frames,  to  that  which 
we  sometimes  pursue  in   things  impertinent  and  tri- 
flirig'!     Our  own  bitter  experience  teaches  us,  'that 
in  the  midst  of  such  laughter  the  heart  is  sorrowful,' 
and  there  is  no  true  satisfaction,  but  in  God.     But, 
alas!  how   shall    we   obtain    and   retain   this   sweet 
spirit  of  religion?    Let  us  follow  the  apostle's  direc 
tion,  Phil,  ii,  12,  and  labor  upon  the  encouragement 
he  there  mentions,  for  it  is  God  only  can  afford  us 
this  favor;  and  he  will   be  sought,  and  it  is  fit  we 
should  wait  upon  him,  for  so  rich  a  mercy.     Oh,  may 
the   God  of  all  grace  afford  us  the  influences  of  his 
Spirit:  and  help  us  that  we  may,  from  our  hearts, 
esteem  it  our  greatest  liberty  and  happiness,  that 
'whether  we  live,  we  may  live  to  the  Lord,  or  wheth 
er  we  die,  we  may  die  to  the  Lord;'  that  in  life  and 

in     lip  a  tli.    \vf»   mnv    lio   liie? 


84  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

«I  am  in  a  very  poor  state  of  health:  but  through 
Divine  goodness,  1  am  not  discontented:  1  bless 
God  for  this  retirement!  I  never  was  more  thank 
ful  for  any  thing,  than  I  have  been  of  late  for  the 
necessity  1  am  under  of  self-denial:  I  love  to  be  a 
pi'grini  and  stranger  in  this  wilderness;  it  seems 
most  fit  for  such  a  poor,  ignorant,  worthless  creature 
as  I.  I  would  not  change  my  present  mission  for 
any  other  business  in  the  whole  world.  1  may  tell 
you  freely,  that  God  has  of  late  given  me  great  free 
dom  and  fervency  in  prayer,  when  1  have  been  so 
weak  and  feeble,  that  my  nature  seemed  as  if  it 
would  speedily  dissolve.  I  feel  as  if  my  all  was  lost 
and  I  was  undone,  if  the  poor  heathen  be  not  con 
verted.  1  feel  different  from  what  I  did  when  I  saw 
you  last,  more  crucified  to  all  the  enjoyments  of  life. 
It  would  be  very  refreshing  to  me,  to  see  you  here 
in  this  desert;  especially  in  my  most  disconsolate 
Lours;  but  1  could  be  content  never  to  see  you  or 
any  of  my  friends  again  in  this  world,  if  God  would 
bless  my  labors  to  the  conversion  of  the  poor  In 
dians.  I  have  much  that  I  could  willingly  commu 
nicate  to  you,  which  I  must  omit,  till  Providence 
gives  us  leave  to  see  each  other.  In  the  mean  time, 
I  rest,  your  obliged  friend  and  servant, 

D.   BRAIKERD." 

After  this  he  went  a  journey  into  New  England, 
and  was  absent  from  the  forks  of  Delaware  about 
Ihree  weeks.  On  his  return  he  inscribed  this  grate 
ful  record  on  a  page  of  his  diary.  "What  reason 
have  I  to  bless  God,  who  has  preserved  me  in  riding 
more  than  four  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  and  has 
krpt  all  my  bones  that  not  one  of  them  has  been  broken. 
My  health  likewise  is  greatly  recovered.  O  that  I 
coold  dedicate  my  all  to  God;  this  is  all  the  return 
I  can  make  to  him." 

On  the  Monday  following,  October  I,  he  began  to 
prepare  for  his  journey  to  Susquahannah;  not  that  he 
had  temporal  affairs  to  settle,  or  worldly  business  to 
arrange,  but  he  had  the  Divine  blessing  to  implore1. 


LIFE    OF   BRAIKERD.  85 

The  welfare  of  the  poor  pagans  he  was  about  to 
visit,  was  a  concern  too  momentous  not  to  interest 
his  pious  feelings;  and  the  sense  of  his  own  insuffi 
ciency  to  save  them  from  the  wrath  to  corne,  was  too 
powerful  an  impression  not  to  lead  him  to  a  throne  of 
grace,  in  their  and  his  own  behalf,  This  journey 
was  not  to  be  solitary  as  those  which  he  had  before 
taken.  In  Mr.  Byram,  minister  at  a  place  called 
Rockciticus,  about  forty  miles  from  his  own  residence, 
he  found  a  profitable  companion. 

''October  2.  I  set  out  (he  observes  in  his  diary) 
on  my  journey,  in  company  with  my  dear  brother 
JByram,  and  my  interpreter,  and  two  chief  Indians, 
from  the  forks  of  Delaware.  We  travelled  about 
twenty-five  miles,  and  lodged  in  one  of  the  last 
houses  on  our  road;  after  which  there  was  nothing 
but  a  hideous  arid  howling  wilderness. 

"3.  We  went  on  our  way  into  the  wilderness,  and 
found  far  the  most  difficult  and  dangerous  travelling 
that  ever  any  of  us  had  seen;  we  had  scarce  any 
thing  else  but  lofty  mountains,  deep  valleys,  and  hid 
eous  rocks,  to  make  our  way  through.  However,  I 
felt  sweetness  in  divine  things,  and  had  my  mind 
intensely  engaged  in  meditation.  Near  night,  my 
beast  that  1  rode  upon,  hung  one  of  her  legs  in  the 
rocks,  and  fell  down  under  me;  but  through  Divine 
goodness,  I  was  not  hurt.  However  she  broke  her 
leg;  and  being  near  thirty  miles  from  any  house,  I 
saw  nothing  that  could  be  done  to  preserve  her  life, 
and  so  was  obliged  to  kill  her,  and  prosecute  my 
journey  on  foot.  Just  at  dark,  we  kindled  a  fire,  cut 
up  a  few  bushes,  and  made  a  shelter  over  our  heads, 
to  save  us  from  the  frost,  which  was  very  hard;  and 
committing  ourselves  to  God  we  lay  down  on  the 
ground,  and  slept  quietly." 

The  next  day  they  went  forward  on  their  journey, 
and  at  night  took  up  their  lodging  in  the  woods  as 
before,  and  on  the  day  following  they  arrived  at  the 
place  of  their  destination. 

"5.  We  arrived  at  Susquahannah  river,  /at  a 
place  called  Opeholhaupung;  found  there  twelVe  In. 


8.6  LIFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

dian  houses;  after  I  had  saluted  the  king  in  a 
friendly  manner,  I  told  him  my  business,  and  that 
my  desire  was  to  teach  them  Christianity.  After 
some  consultation,  the  Indians  gathered,  and  I 
preached  to  them.  And  when  I  had  done,  I  asked,, 
if  they  would  hear  me  again.  They  replied,  they 
would  consider  of  it;  and  soon  after  sent  me  word, 
that  they  would  immediately  attend,  if  I  would 
preach;  which  1  did  with  much  freedom.  When  I 
asked  them  again,  whether  they  would  hear  me  fur 
ther,  they  replied  they  would  the  next  day.  I  was 
exceeding  sensible  of  the  impossibility  of  doing  any 
thing  for  the  poor  heathen  without  special  assistance; 
and  my  soul  rested  on  God,  and  left  it  to  him,  to  do 
as  he  pleased  in  his  own  cause. 

"6.  I  preached  again  to  the  Indians:  and  in  the 
afternoon,  visited  them  from  house  to  house,  and 
invited  them  to  come  and  hear  me  again  the  next  day, 
and  put  off  their  hunting  design  till  Monday.  This 
night  the  Lord  stood  by  me,  to  encourage  and 
strengthen  my  soul:  I  spent  more  than  an  hour  in 
secret  retirement;  and  was  enabled  to  pour  out  my 
heart  before  God,  for  the  increase  of  grace  in  my 
soul,  for  ministerial  endowments,  and  for  success 
among  the  poor  Indians. 

"October  8.  I  visited  the  Indians  with  a  design 
to  take  my  leave,  supposing  they  would  go  out  a  hunt 
ing  early;  but  beyond  my  expectation  and  hope,  they 
desired  to  hear  me  preach  again.  I  gladly  complied 
with  their  request,  and  endeavored  to  answer  their 
objections  against  Christianity.  Then  they  went 
away;  and  we  spent  the  afternoon  in  reading  and 
prayer,  intending  to  go  homeward  early  the  next 
day." 

On  his  reception  among  these  Indians,  in  his  let 
ter  to  Mr.  Pemberton,  he  has  the  following  remarks. 

"The  iwen,  I  think,  universally  (except  one)  at 
tended  my  preaching.  Only  the  women  supposing 
the  affair  we  were  upon  to  be  of  a  public  nature,  be 
longing  only  to  the  men,  and  not  what  every  indi 
vidual  person  should  concern  himself  with,  could  not 


LIKE    OJ?  BRAINERD.  87 

readily  be  persuaded  to  come  and  hear.  But  after 
much  pains  used  with  them  for  that  purpose,  some 
few  ventured  to  come  and  stand  at  a  distance. 

"When  I  had  preached  to  the  Indians  several 
times,  some  of  them  very  frankly  proposed  what  they 
had  to  object  against  Christianity;  and  so  gave  me  a 
fair  opportunity  for  using  my  best  endeavors  to  re 
move  from  their  minds  those  scruples  and  jealousies 
they  labored  under;  and  when  I  had  endeavored  to  an 
swer  their  objections,  some  appeared  much  satisfied. 
I  then  asked  the  king  if  he  was  willing  1  should  visit 
and  preach  to  them  again,  if  I  should  live  to  the 
next  spring:  he  replied,  he  should  be  heartily  willing 
for  his  own  part,  and  added  he  wished  the  young 
people  vvould  learn,  &c.  1  then  put  the  same  ques 
tion  to  the  rest.  Some  answered  they  vvould  be  very 
glad,  and  none  manifested  any  dislike  to  it.  There 
were  sundry  other  things  in  their  behavior,  with 
a  comfortable  and  encouraging  aspect;  that  upon  the 
whole,  I  could  not  but  rejoice  1  had  taken  that 
journey  among  them,  although  it  was  attended  with 
many  difficulties  and  hardships.  The  method  I  used 
with  them,  and  the  instructions  I  gave  them,  1  am 
persuaded  were  means,  in  some  measure  to  remove 
their  heathenish  jealousies  and  prejudices  against 
Christianity;  and  I  could  not  but  hope  the  God  of  all 
grace  was  preparing  their  minds  to  receive  the 
*truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.'  If  this,  may  be  the  happy 
consequence,  I  shall  not  only  rejoice  in  my  past  labors 
and  fatigues;  but  shall  I  trust,  also  lbe  willing  to 
spend  and  be  spent,'  if  I  may  thereby  be  instrumen 
tal  «to  turn  them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from 
the  power  of  Satan  to  God.'  ' 

On  Tuesday,  Oct.  9,  Mr.  Brainerd  and  his  com 
panion  left  Susquahannah,  and  encountering  the 
same  hardships  on  their  return,  as  in  going,  they  at 
length  arrived  safe  at  home,  And  in  his  diary,  for 
October  12,  there  is  this  memorandum. 

"Friday  12.  Rode  home  to  rny  lodgings;  where 
I  poured  out  my  soul  to  God,  and  endeavored  to  bless 
him,  for  his  abundant  goodness  to  me  in  my  late  jouj^= 


88  LIFE    OF   BRUNERD. 

ney.  I  scarce  ever  enjoyed  more  health;  and  God 
marvellously,  and  almost  miraculously  supported  me 
under  the  fatigues  of  the  way,  and  travelling  on  foot. 
Blessed  be  ihe  Lord,  that  preserves  me  in  all  my 
ways." 

The  following  are  the  most  remarkable  things  in 
his  diary  at  this  period. 

"Lord's-day,  14.  1  was  much  confused  and  per 
plexed  in  my  thoughts;  and  almost  discouraged, 
thinking  I  should  never  be  able  to  preach  any  more. 
However,  1  went  to  the  place  of  public  worship,  lift 
ing  up  my  heart,  and  God  was  gracious  to  me,  and 
helped  me  to  plead  with  him  for  holiness,  and  to  use 
strong  arguments  with  him,  drawn  from  the  sufferings 
of  Christ  for  this  very  end,  that  men  might  be  made 
holy.  Afterwards  I  was  much  assisted  in  preaching. 
1  know  not  that  God  ever  helped  me  to  preach  in  a 
more  close  manner.  Through  the  infinite  goodness 
of  God,  I  felt  what  1  spake;  and  God  enabled  me  to 
speak  with  uncommon  clearness:  and  yet  1  was 
deeply  sensible  of  my  defects  in  preaching;  blessed 
be  the  Lord  for  his  mercy.  In  the  evening  I  longed 
to  be  entirely  alone,  to  bless  God  for  help  in  extrem 
ity:  and  longed  for  greater  degrees  of  holiness,  that 
I  might  show  my  gratitude  to  God. 

"16.  I  felt  a  spirit  of  solemnity  and  watchful 
ness;  and  was  afraid  I  should  not  live  to  and  upon 
God;  1  longed  for  more  intenseness  and  spirituality. 
In  the  evening  I  enjoyed  sweet  assistance  in  prayer, 
and  thirsted  and  pleaded  to  be  as  holy  as  the  blesse.d 
angels. 

"19.  I  had  an  abasing  sense  of  my  own  imholi- 
ness;  and  felt  my  soul  melt  and  mourn,  that  I  had 
grieved  a  'gracious  God,  who  was  still  kind  to  me; 
notwithstanding  all  my  unworthiness.  My  soul  en 
joyed  a  sweet  season  of  sorrow,  that  I  had  wronged 
that  blessed  God,  who  W7as  reconciled  to  me  in  his 
dear  Son.  My  soul  was  now  tender,  and  devout,  and 
solemn;  and  I  was  afraid  of  nothing  but  sin;  and 
afraid  of  that  in  every  action  and  thought. 


JLIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  89 

"24.  Near  noon  I  rode  to  my  people:  spent  some 
time,  and  prayed  with  them;  felt  the  frame  of  a  pil 
grim  on  earth;  longed  much  to  leave  this  gloomy 
mansion;  but  yet  found  patience  and  resignation.  As 
1  returned  home  from  the  Indians,  i  spent  the  whole 
time  in  lifting  up  my  heart  to  God. 

"In  the  evening,  1  enjoyed  a  blessed  season  in 
prayer;  was  enabled  to  cry  to  God  with  a  child-like 
spirit;  enjoyed  a  sweet  freedom  in  supplicating  for 
myself,  and  for  my  dear  friends,  longed  to  be  as 
lively  in  God's  service  as  the  angels. 

"26.  In  the  morning,  my  soul  was  melted  with  a 
sense  of  divine  goodness  to  such  a  vile*lvorm:  I 
delighted  to  lean  upon  God  and  place  my  whole  trust 
in  him:  my  soul  was  exceedingly  grieved  for  sin, 
and  prized  and  longed  after  holiness;  it  wounded 
my  heart  deeply,  yet  sweetly,  to  think  how  I  had 
abused  a  kind  God.  I  longed  to  be  perfectly  holy, 
that  I  might  not  grieve  a  gracious  God:  I  longed 
for  holiness  more  for  this  end  than  for  my  happiness 
sake;  and  yet  this  was  my  greatest  happiness,  never 
more  to  dishonor,  but  always  to  glorify  the  blessed 
God. 

"Oct.  St.  I  was  sensible  of  my  barrenness:  my 
soul  failed  when  I  remembered  the  fervency  1  had 
enjoyed.  Ob,  I  thought,  if  I  could  but  be  spiritual, 
warm,  heavenly-minded,  and  affectionately  breathing 
after  God,  this  would  be  better  than  life  to  me!  My 
soul  longed  exceedingly  for  death,  to  be  loosed  from 
this  dulness,  and  made  ever  active  in  the  service 
of  God.  I  seemed  to  live  for  nothing,  and  to  do  no 
good:  and  oh,  the  burden  of  such  a  life!  Oh  death, 
death,  my  kind  friend,  hasten  and  deliver  me  from 
dull  mortality,  and  make  me  spiritual,  and  vigorous 
to  eternity! 

"Nov.  1.  I  felt  life,  and  longings  after  God;  I 
longed  to  be  always  solemn,  devout,  and  heavenly- 
minded;  and  was  afraid  to  leave  off  praying,  lest  I 
should  again  lose  a  sense  of  the  sweet  things  of  God. 
"2.  1  was  exercised  sorely  with  some  things  that 
I  thought  myself  most  of  all  freed  from.  And  thus 


90  I.IFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

I  have  ever  found  it,  when  I  have  thought  the  hattle 
was  over  and  the  conquest  was  gained,  and  so  let 
down  my  watch,  the  enemy  lias  risen  up,  and  done  me 
the  greatest  injury. " 

In  the  beginning  of  November,  Mr.  Braincrd 
wrote  the  letter  to  which  ^e  have  several  times  al 
luded,  in  which  he  relates  to  Mr.  Pembcrton  his  va 
rious  journies  and  success,  from  the  time  of  his  he- 
coming  a  missionary  down  to  his  return  from  Sus- 
quahannah.  And  this  is  the  most  suitable  place  to 
introduce  the  account  which  that  letter  contains  of 
the  great  difficulties,  which  are  the  powerful  obsta 
cles  to  tffe  diffusion  of  divine  truth  among  unciviliz 
ed  idolaters. 

"In  the  first  place,  their  minds  are  filled  with 
prejudices  against  Christianity,  on  account  of  the 
vicious  lives  and  unchristian  behavior  of  some  that 
are  called  Christians.  These  not  only  set  before 
them  the  worst  examples,  but  some  of  them  take 
pains,  expressly  in  words,  to  dissuade  them  from  be 
coming  Christians;  foreseeing  that  if  these  should  be 
converted  to  God,  <the  hope  of  their  unlawful  gain' 
would  be  lost. 

"Again  these  poor  Heathens  are  extremely  attach 
ed  to  the  customs,  traditions,  and  fabulous  notions 
of  their  fathers:  and  this  one  seems  to  be  the  foun 
dation  of  all  their  other  motives,  viz.  that  it  was 
not  the  same  God  made  them  who  made  the  white 
people,  but  another,  who  commanded  them  to  live  by 
hunting,  &c.  and  not  conform  to  the  customs  of  the 
white  people.  Hence,  when  they  are  desired  to  be 
come  Christians,  they  frequently  reply,  that  4they 
will  live  as  their  fathers  lived,  and  go  to  their  fathers 
when  they  die.-'  And  if  the  miracles  of  Christ,  and 
his  apostles,  be  mentioned,  to  prove  the  truth  of 
Christianity,  they  also  mentioned  sundry  miracles 
which  their  fathers  have  told  (hem  were  anciently 
wrought  among  the  Indians,  and  which  satan  makes 
them  believe  w7ere  so.  They  are  much  attached  to 
idolatry;  frequently  making  feasts,  which  they  eat  in 
honor  of  some  unknown  beings,  who,  they  suppose, 


LIFE    OF   BRAIXERD.  <H 

speak  to  them  in  dreams,  promising  them  success  in 
hunting,  and  other  affairs,  in  case  they  will  sacri 
fice  to  them.  They  oftentimes,  also,  offer  their  sa 
crifices  to  the  spirits  of  the  dead,  who,  they  suppose, 
stand  in  need  of  favors  from  the  living,  and  )  et  are 
in  such  a  state  as  that  they  can  well  reward  all  the 
offices  of  kindness  that  are  shown  them:  and  they 
impute  all  their  calamities  to  the  neglect  of  these 
sacrifices.  Furthermore,  they  are  much  awed  by 
those  among  themselves  who  are  called  Powwows, 
who  are  supposed  to  have  a  power  of  enchanting,  or 
poisoning  them  to  death,  or  at  least  in  a  very  dis 
tressing  manner;  and  they  apprehend  it  would  be 
their  sad  fate  to  be  thus  enchanted  in  case  they 
should  become  Christians. 

"Lastly,  the  manner  of  their  living  is  likewise  a 
great  disadvantage  to  the  design  of  their  being 
Christianized.  They  are  almost  continually  roving 
from  place  to  place;  and  it  is  but  rare,  that  an  op 
portunity  can  be  had  with  some  of  them  for  their 
instruction.  There  is  scarcely  any  time  of  the 
year,  wherein  the  men  can  be  found  generally  at 
home,  except  about  six  weeks  before,  and  in  the  sea 
son  of  planting  their  corn,-  and  about  two  months  in 
the  latter  part  of  summer,  from  the  time  they  be 
gin  to  roast  their  corn  until  it  is  fit  to  gather  in. 

"As to  the  hardships  that  necessarily  attend  a  mis 
sion  among  them;  the  fatigue  of  frequent  journey 
ing  in  the  wilderness;  the  unpleasantness  of  a  mean 
and  hard  way  of  living;  and  the  great  difficulty  of 
addressing  'a  people  of  a  strange  language;'  these  I 
shall  at  present  pass  over  in  silence,  designing  what 
1  have  already  said  of  difficulties  attending  this 
work,  not  for  the  discouragement  of  any,  but  rather 
for  the  incitement  of  all,  who  'love  the  appearing  and 
kingdom  of  Christ,'  to  frequent  the  throne  of  grace 
with  constant  supplications,  that  the  heathen,  who 
were  anciently  promised  to  Christ  for  his  inherit 
ance,  may  now  actually  and  speedily  be  brought  into 
his  kingdom  of  grace,  and  made  heirs  of  immortal 
glory." 


02  LIFE    OF   BRAINEKD. 

After  writing  this  letter,  Mr.  Brainerd  was  called 
to  New  York,  to  a  meeting  of  the  presbytery,  and 
was  gone  from  home  nearly  a  fortnight.  His  jour 
ney  was  very  fatiguing,  and  he  was  often  exposed  to 
the  severest  cold.  Through  his  hodily  exertions,  and 
the  unfavorable  weather  in  which  he  travelled,  his 
constitution  received  a  most  serious  shock;  and  on 
his  return,  he  was,  for  several  days,  detained  by 
illness  at  New  Jersey.  When  he  left  Rockciticus, 
for  Delaware  River,  which  was  on  Thursday,  Nov. 
23d  he  struggled  with  very  great  difficulties,  an  ac 
count  of  which  he  thus  relates: 

"Nov.  22.  1  came  on  my  way  to  Delaware  river, 
though  much  disordered  with  a  cold  and  pain  in  my 
headr  About  six  at  night  I  lost  my  way  in  the  wil 
derness,  and  wandered  over  rocks  and  mountains, 
down  hideous  steeps,  through  swamps,  and  most 
dreadful  and  dangerous  places;  and  the  night  being 
dark,  I  was  greatly  exposed:  I  was  much  pinched 
with  cold,  and  distressed  with  an  extreme  pain  in  my 
head,  attended  with  sickness  at  my  stomach;  so  that 
every  step  I  took  was  distressing  to  me.  I  had  little 
hope  but  that  I  must  lie  in  the  woods  all  night.  But 
about  nine  o'clock,  I  found  a  house,  and  was  kindly 
entertained.  Thus  I  have  frequently  been  exposed: 
but  God  has  hitherto  preserved  me — blessed  be  his 
name.  Such  fatigues  and  hardships  serve  to  wean 
me  from  earth,  and  will  make  heaven  the  sweeter. 
Formerly,  when  I  was  thus  exposed,  1  was  ready  to 
please  myself  with  the  thoughts  of  a  comfortable 
house,  a  warm  fire,  and  other  outward  comforts;  but 
now  these  have  less  place  in  my  heart  (through  the 
grace  of  God,)  and  my  eye  is  more  to  God  for  com 
fort.  In  this  world  I  expect  tribulation:  and  it  does 
not  now  appear  strange  to  me;  1  do  not,  in  seasons 
of  difficulty,  flatter  myself  that  it  will  be  better  here 
after;  but  rather  think  how  much  worse  it  might  be; 
how  much  greater  trials  others  of  God's  children 
have  endured;  and  how  much  greater  are  yet  per 
haps  reserved  for  me  Blessed  be  God,  that  he 
makes  the  thoughts  of  my  journey's  end  a  great 


II FE    OF   BRAIN  EBB.  93 

comfort  to  me  under  my  sharpest  trials;  and  scarce 
ever  lets  these  thoughts  be  attended  with  terror,  but 
frequently  with  joy." 

From  this  time,  November,  1744,  he  continued  at 
Delaware  till  the  following  month  in  the  next  year, 
actively  engaged  in  discharging  the  various  duties 
of  his  arduous  employment;  preaching  frequently, 
and  visiting  his  Indians,  from  house  to  house,  and 
from  day  to  day. 

His  exercises  of  mind,  during  this  period,  were 
like  those  before  recorded.  Sometimes  he  was  greatly 
dejected;  and  at  others,  comforted  in  enjoying  the 
peace  of  God,  which  passeth  understanding.  The 
most  remarkable  passages  I  shall  here  transcribe. 

"Friday,  November  23.  Visited  a  sick  man:  dis 
coursed  and  prayed  with  him.  Then  visited  another 
house,  where  one  was  dead  and  laid  out:  looked  on 
the  corpse,  and  longed  that  my  time  might  come  to 
depart,  that  I  might  be  with  Christ." 

Within  the  next  twelve  days  he  spent  much  time 
in  hard  labor,  with  others,  to  make  for  himself  a  lit 
tle  cottage,  to  live  in  by  himself. 

"Dec.  6.  Having  now  a  happy  opportunity  of  be 
ing  retired  in  a  house  of  my  own,  1  set  apart  this 
day  for  secret  prayer  and  fasting,  to  implore  the 
blessing  of  God  on  myself,  on  my  poor  people,  on  my 
friends,  and  on  the  church  of  God.  And  now  God 
was  pleased  to  give  me  a  discovery  of  the  plague  of 
my  own  heart,  more  affecting  than  I  have  of  late  had. 
Anirespecially  1  saw  my  sinfulness  in  this,  that  when 
God  had  withdrawn  himself,  instead  of  living  and 
dying  in  pursuit  of  him,  1  have  been  disposed  to  one 
of  these  two  things,  either  to  yield  an  unbecoming 
respect  to  some  earthly  objects,  as  if  happiness  were 
to  be  derived  from  them;  or  to  be  secretly  froward 
and  impatient,  and  unsuitably  desirous  of  death. 
That  which  often  drove  me  to  this  impatient  desire 
of  death,  was  a  despair  of  doing  good  in  life.  But 
now  God  made  me  sensible  of  my  sin,  and  enabled 
me  to  cry  to  him  for  forgiveness,  Yet  this  was  not 
all  I  wanted;  for  my  soul  appeared  exceedingly  po!- 
9 


94  HIE  01? 

luted;  and  I  wanted  to  be  purified  <by  the  blood  of 
sprinkling  that  cleanseth  from  all  sin.'  And  this  I 
\vas  enabled  to  pray  for  in  faith.  1  enjoyed  much 
more  intenseness,  fervency,  and  spirituality,  than  I 
expected:  God  was  better  to  me  than  ray  fears.  I 
was  enabled  to  persevere  in  prayer  till  the  evening: 
I  saw  so  much  need  of  divine  help,  in  every  respect, 
that  I  knew  not  how  to  leave  oft",  and  had  forgot  that 
1  needed  food. 

"Lord's-day,  Dec.  9.  I  preached,  both  parts  of  the 
day,  at  a  place  called  Greenwich,  about  ten  miles 
from  my  own  house.  In  the  first  discourse  1  had 
scarce  any  warmth.  In  the  intermission  season  I 
got  alone  among  the  bushes,  and  cried  to  God.  being 
in  great  anguish,  that  I  could  riot  address  souls  with 
more  compassion,  and  tender  affection;  which  I  saw 
I  could  not  get  of  myself,  any  more  than  I  could 
make  a  world,  in  the  latter  exercise,  blessed  be  the 
Lord,  1  had  some  fervency,  both  in  prayer  and 
preaching;  and  in  the  application  I  was  enabled  to 
address  precious  souls  with  affection,  tenderness,  and 
importunity.  The  Spirit  of  God  was  there;  the  ef- 
jfects  were  apparent,  tears  running  down  many  cheeks. 

"12.  I  was  very  weak;  but  assisted  in  secret  pray 
er,  and  enabled  with  sweetness  to  cry,  'Come,  Lord 
Jesus!  come  quickly.'  My  soul  longed  for  God,  for 
the  living  God.  O  how  delightful  it  is  to  pray  under 
such  influences!  How  much  better  than  one's  neces 
sary  food!  I  had  at  this  time  no  disposition  to  eat 
(though  late  in  the  morning;)  for  earthly  food  ap 
peared  wholly  tasteless.  I  visited  and  preached  to 
the  Indians  in  the  afternoon,  but  under  much  dejec 
tion.  I  found  my  interpreter  under  some  concern  for 
his  soul,  which  was  some  comfort  to  me.  I  longed 
greatly  for  his  conversion,  poured  out  my  soul  to 
God  for  him,  and  was  enabled  to  leave  all  with  God. 

"13.  I  spent  the  day  in  fasting  and  prayer,  to  im 
plore  the  Divine  blessing,  more  especially  on  my 
poor  people;  in  particular  for  my  interpreter,  and 
three  or  four  more  under  some  concern  for  their 
souls:  but  in  the  evening  it  seemed  as  if  I  had  need 


LIFE    OF   BR  AOERD.  95 

to  pray  for  nothing  so  much  as  for  the  pardon  of  sins 
committed  in  the  day  past.  The  sins  I  had  most 
sense  of,  were  pride  and  wandering  thoughts.  Yet, 
after  all  my  sorrows,  I  trust  this  day,  and  the  exer 
cises  of  it,  have  been  for  my  good,  and  taught  me 
more  of  my  weakness  without  Christ  than  1  knew 
he  fore. 

"LordVday,  Dec.  16.  I  was  so  overwhelmed 
with  dejection,  that  I  knew  not  how  to  live:  I  longed 
for  death  exceedingly;  my  soul  was  sunk  into  deep 
waters,!  and  the  floods  were  ready  to  droivn  me:  I  was 
so  much  oppressed,  that  my  soul  was  in  a  kind  of 
horror:  I  had  no  distressing  douht  ahout  my  own 
state,  hut  would  have  cheerfully  ventured  (as  far  as 
1  could  know)  into  eternity.  While  I  was  going  to 
preach  to  the  Indians,  my  soul  was  in  anguish;  I 
despaired  of  doing  any  good.  But  at  last  1  insisted 
on  the  evidences  of  Christianity  from  the  miracles  of 
Christ:  and  God  helped  me  to  make  a  close  applica 
tion  to  those  that  refused  to  believe.  1  was  encour 
aged  to  find,  that  God  enabled  me  to  be  faithful  ones 
more.  Then  I  went  and  preached  to  another  com 
pany  of  them;  but  was  very  weary  and  faint.  In 
the  evening  I  was  something  refreshed,  and  enabled 
to  pray  and  praise  God  with  composure  and  affec 
tion:  I  was  now  willing  to  live,  and  longed  to  do 
more  for  God  than  my  weak  state  of  body  would  ad 
mit  of.  *I  can  do  all  things  through  Christ  that 
strengthens  me;'  and  I  am  willing  to  spend  and  62 
spent  in  his  service. 

"18.  I  went  to  the  Indians,  and  discoursed  to 
them  near  an  hour;  and  at  last  God  helped  me  to 
speak  with  warmth.  My  interpreter  also  was  amaz 
ingly  assisted;  and  I  doubt  not  but  the  Spirit  of 
God  was  upon  him.  And  presently  most  of  the 
grown  persons  were  much  affected,  and  the  tears  ran 
down  their  cheeks;  and  one  old  man  (I  suppose  an 
hundred  years  old)  was  so  affected,  that  he  wept, 
and  seemed  convinced  of  the  importance  of  what  I 
taught  them.  I  staid  with  them  a  considerable  time, 
exhorting  theroj  and  came  away,  lifting  up  my  heart 


96  XIFE  OF  ERAINERU. 

to  God,  and  encouraged  my  interpreter  to  strive  to 
enter  in  at  the  strait  gate. 

"Jan.  9,  1745.  In  the  morning,  God  was  pleased 
to  remove  that  gloom  which  has  of  late  oppressed 
my  mind,  and  gave  me  freedom  and  sweetness  in 
prayer.  I  was  encouraged  to  plead  for  grace  for 
myself,  and  mercy  for  my  poor  Indians;  and  was 
sweetly  assisted  in  my  intercessions  with  God  for 
others.  Those  things  that  of  late  seemed  almost 
impossible,  now  appear  not  only  possible,  but  easy. 
My  soul  so  much  delighted  to  continue  instant  in 
prayer,  at  this  blessed  season,  that  1  had  no  desire 
for  my  necessary  food,  I  even  dreaded  leaving  off 
prating  at  all,  lest  1  should  lose  this  spirituality,  and 
this  blessed  thankfulness.  I  felt  now  quite  willing 
to  live,  and  undergo  all  trials  that  might  remain  for 
me  in  a  world  of  sorrow;  but  still  longed  for  heaven, 
that  1  might  glorify  God  in  a  perfect  manner. 

"14.  I  spent  this  day  under  a  great  degree  of 
bodily  weakness  and  disorder.  It  pains  me  that  I 
live  so  much  of  my  time  for  nothing.  1  long  to  do 
much  in  little  time,  and  if  it  might  be  the  Lord's 
will,  to  finish  my  work  speedily  in  this  tiresome 
world.  1  am  sure,  1  do  not  desire  to  live  for  any 
thing  in  this  tiresome  world:  and  through  grace  I 
am  not  afraid  to  look  the  king  of  terrors  in  the  face; 
I  know  1  shall  be  afraid,  if  God  leaves  me;  and 
therefore  I  think  it  is  always  my  duty  to  lay  in  for 
that  solemn  hour.  But  for  a  considerable  time,  my 
soul  has  rejoiced  to  think  of  death  in  its  nearest  ap 
proaches;  and  even  when  I  have  been  very  weak 
and  seemed  nearest  eternity*  *Not  unto  me,  not  unto 
me,  but  to  God  be  the  glory.'  I  feel  tliat  which 
convinces  me,  that  if  God  do  not  enable  me  to  main 
tain  a  holy  dependence  upon  him,  death  will  be  a 
terror,  but  at  present  I  must  say,  <1  long  to  depart 
and  to  be  with  Christ.'  When  i  am  in  a  sweet  re 
signed  frame  of  soul,  I  am  willing  to  tarry  in  a 
world  of  sorrow;  1  am  willing  to  be  from  home  as 
long  as  God  sees  fit;  but  when  J  want  the  influence 
of  this  temper,  I  then  am  apt  to  be  impatient  to  be 


LIFE    OF  BRAINERB.  %T 

gone.     Oli,  when  will  the  day  appear,  that  I  shall  be 
perfect  in  holiness! 

"Feb.  it.  in  the  evening  I  was  in  the  most  sol 
emn  frame  that  I  remember  to  have  experienced:  I 
know  not  that  ever  death  appeared  more  real  to  me$ 
or  that  ever  I  saw  myself  in  the  condition  of  a  dead 
corpse  laid  out,  and  dressed  for  a  lodging  in  the  silent 
grave  so  evidently  as  at  this  time:  and  yet  1  felt  ex 
ceedingly  comfortable:  my  mind  was  composed  and 
calm,  and  death  appeared  without  a  sting.  I  never 
felt  such  an  universal  mortification  to  all  created  ob 
jects.  Oh,  how  great  and  solemn  a  thing  it  appeared 
to  die!  How  it  lays  the  greatest  honor  in  the  dust! 
And  how  vain  and  trifling  did  the  riches,  honors, 
and  pleasures  of  the  world  appear!  I  could  not,  I 
tlare  not,  so  much  as  think  of  any  of  them:  tor 
death,  death,  (solemn,  though  not  frightful)  death,  ap 
peared  at  the  door.  I  could  not  see  myself  laid  out, 
and  inclosed  in  my  coffin,  and  put  down  in  the  cold 
grave,  without  terror!  I  spent  the  evening  in  convers 
ing  with  a  Christian  friend;  and  it  was  a  comforta 
ble  evening  to  us  both.  What  are  friends?  What 
are  comforts?  AVhat  are  sorrows?  What  are  dis 
tresses?  The  time  is  short,  4it  remains,  that  they 
that  weep  be  as  though  they  wept  not;  and  they 
which  rejoice,  as  though  they  rejoiced  not:  for  the 
fashion  of  this  \vorld  passeth  away.'  O  come, 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly! 

"14  I  spent  the  day  in  writing  on  a  divine  sub 
ject:  enjoyed  health  and  freedom  in  my  work:  had 
a  solemn  sense  of  death:  as  I  have  indeed  every  day 
this  week:  what  I  felt  on  Monday  last  has  been 
abiding  ever  since. 

"15.  I  had  a  sweet  sense  of  the  free  grace  of  the 
Gospel:  my  soul  was  encouraged,  warmed,  and 
quickened;  and  my  desires  drawn  out  after  God  in 
prayer:  being  afraid  of  losing  so  sweet  a  guest  as  I 
then  entertained.  1  longed  "to  proclaim  the  grace 
I  then  meditated  upon  to  the  world  of  sinners.  O 
how  quick  and  powerful  is  the  word  of  the  blessed 
God! 

*9 


$8  XIFE    OF   ERAINERD. 

"Lord's-day,  Feb.  17.  I  preached  to  the  white 
people  (my  interpreter  being  absent)  in  the  wilder 
ness;  upon  the  sunny  side  of  a  hill:  1  had  a  consid 
erable  assembly,  consisting  of  people  that  lived  (at 
least  many  of  them)  not  less  than  thirty  miles  asun 
der.  1  discoursed  to  them  from  John  vii,  37;  'Jesus 
stood  arid  cried,  saying,  if  any  man  thirst,'  &c.  In 
the  afternoon  it  pleased  God  to  grant  me  great  free 
dom  and  fervency  in  my  discourse;  and  I  was  ena 
bled  to  imitate  the  example  of  Christ,  who  stood  and 
eried,  I  think  I  was  scarce  ever  enabled  to  offer  the 
free  grace  of  God  to  perishing  sinners  with  more 
freedom  and  plainness.  O  that  I  could  for  ever  bless 
God  for  the  mercy  of  this  day,  who  'answered  me  in 
the  joy  of  my  heart.' 

"Lord's-day,  Feb.  24.  My  interpreter  being  ab 
sent  i  knew  not  how  to  perform  my  work  among  the 
Indians.  However  1  rode  to  the  Indians,  and  got  a 
Dutchman  to  interpret,  though  he  was  but  poorly 
qualified.  Afterwards  1  came  and  preached  to  a 
few  white  people,  from  John  vi,  67.  O  the  free 
grace  of  Christ,  that  he  seasonably  minds  his  people 
of  their  danger  of  backsliding,  and  invites  them  to 
persevere  in  their  adherence  to  himself!  I  saw  that 
backsliding  souls  might  return  and  welcome  to  him 
immediately  without  any  thing  to  recommend  them, 
pot  withstanding  all  their  former  backslid  ings.  And 
I  felt  solemn  and  devout,  resting  on  free  grace  for 
assistance,  acceptance,  and  peace  of  conscience." 

During  the  three  months  in  which  he  labored  at 
the  Forks  of  Delaware,  Mr.  Brainerd  received  little 
encouragement.  No  visible  effects  followed  his  min 
istrations,  and  he  seriously  thought  of  quitting  that 
unfavorable  station  for  a  residence  nearer  the  In 
dians  at  Susquahannah  river.  This  design  he  men 
tioned  to  some  friends,  arid  from  them  he  received 
flattering  testimonies  of  their  affection.  This  melt 
ed  his  heart:  it  was  surprising  to  his  humble  spirit, 
that  any  human  being  could  value  a  creature  which 
he  thought  to  be  so  worthless.  How  sweet  is  the  in 
fluence  of  divine  grace,  and  with  what  unaffected 


LFFE    OF   BKAINEHD.  59 

simplicity  does  a  real  Christian  manifest  that  he  es 
teems  others  better  than  himself.  Humility,  like  the 
violet,  is  a  lovely  flower;  it  grows  low,  has  a  dark 
hue,  but  it  diffuses  the  sweetest  fragrance.  Before 
Mr.  Brainerd  executed  his  purpose,  he  resolved  once 
more  to  visit  New  England.  He  felt  that  his  spirits 
sunk  under  difficulties,  to  which  no  strength  was 
equal;  and  he  imagined  their  weight  would  be  imme 
diately  diminished  could  he  obtain  a  companion  who 
would  labor  with  him,  who  would  aid  his  exertions, 
mingle  in  his  joys,  and  sympathize  with  him  in  his 
sorrows.  But  he  felt  that  th§fe  was  one  powerful 
obstacle  in  the  way,  to  prevent  the  gratification  of 
that  which  he  so  earnestly  wished:  that  was,  the 
want  of  money:  though  powerful,  he  did  not  think 
it  insuperable,  and  he  therefore  prepared,  on  the 
sixth  of  March,  to  undertake  a  journey  for  the  pur 
pose,  as  he  expresses  it,  "of  raising  some  money 
among  Christian  friends,  in  order  to  support  a  col 
league  with  me  in  the  wilderness  (I  having  now  spent 
two  years  in  a  very  solitary  manner,)  that  we  might 
be  together,  as  Christ  sent  out  his  disciples,  two 
and  two."  For  five  weeks,  he  was  indefatigably 
employed  in  accomplishing  this  object.  He  first 
went  into  various  parts  of  New  Jersey,  then  to  New 
York,  from  thence  into  New  England,  and  then  he 
returned  to  New  Jerse),  arriving  at  home  on  April 
13th.  Scarcely  had  he  been  at  the  Forks  of  Dela 
ware  a  week  before  he  undertook  another  journey. 
He  went  to  Philadelphia,  to  engage  the  governor 
thereto  use  his  interest  with  the  chief  man  of  the  six 
nations(with  whom  he  maintained  a  strict  friendship,} 
that  he  would  give  him  leave  to  live  at  Susquahan- 
nah,  and  instruct  the  Indians  that  are  within  their 
territories.*  On  his  return  he  entered  in  his  diary 
his  experience. 

*  The  Indians  at  Susquahannah  are  a  mixed  company  of  many  na 
tions,  speaking  various  languages,  and  few  of  them  properly  of  the 
six  nations.  But  yet,  the  country  having  formerl}  been  conquered  by 
the  six  nations,  they  claim  the  land;  and  the  Susquahanuah  Indians  are 
a  kind  of  vassals  to  them. 


100  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

"Lord's-day,  April  21.  In  the  season  of  com- 
munion  I  had  comfortable  apprehensions  of  the 
blissful  communion  of  God's  people,  when  they  shall 
meet  at  their  Father's  tabta  in  his  kingdom.  In  the 
afternoon  1  preached  abroad,  from  Rev,  xiv,  4, 
'these  are  they  that  follow  the  Lamb/  &c.  God  was 
pleased  to  give  me  great  freedom  an!  clearness  but 
not  so  much  warmth  as  before.  However,  there 
was  a  most  amazing  attention  in  the  whole  assembly; 
and,  as  I  was  informed  afterwards,  this  was  a  sweet 
season  to  many. 

"25.  I  returned  home  to  the  Forks  of  Delaware; 
enjoyed  some  sweet  meditations  on  the  road,  and  was 
enabled  to  lift  up  my  heart  to  God  in  prayer  and 
praise. 

"26.  I  felt  a  spirit  of  mortification  to  the  world 
in  a  very  great  degree.  Afterwards,  I  was  enabled 
to  rely  on  God  sweetly,  for  'all  things  pertaining  to 
life  and  godliness.'  In  the  evening,  I  was  visited  by 
a  dear  Christian  friend,  with  whom  I  spent  an  hour 
or  two  in  conversation  on  the  very  soul  of  religion. 
There  are  many  with  whom  [  can  talk  about  religion: 
but  alas!  I  find  few  with  whom  1  can  talk  religion 
itself:  but,  blessed  be  the  Lord,  there  are  some  that 
love  to  feed  on  the  kernel,  rather  than  the  shell." 

The  next  day  he  went  to  the  Irish  settlement, 
about  fifteen  miles  distant,  where  he  spent  the  Sab 
bath,  and  preached  with  some  considerable  assist 
ance.  On  Monday  he  returned  very  weak  to  his 
own  lodgings. 

"30.  I  was  scarce  able  to  walk  about,  and  was 
obliged  to  betake  myself  to  the  bed  much  of  the 
day,  being  neither  able  to  read,  meditate,  nor  pray, 
and  having  none  to  converse  with  in  this  wilderness. 
Oh,  how  heavily  does  time  pass  away  when  I  can  do 
nothing  to  any  good  purpose? 

"May  2.  In  the  evening,  being  a  little  better  in 
health,  I  walked  into  the  woods,  and  enjoyed  a  sweet 
season  of  meditation  and  prayer.  My  thoughts 
run  upon  Psalms  xvii,  15,  <l  shall  be  satisfied  when 
I  awake  with  thy  likeness.'  And  it  was  indeed  a 


OF  BRA1NERD.  101 

precious  text  to  me.  I  longed  to  preach  to  the 
whole  world;  and  it  seemed  to  me  they  must  needs 
all  he  melted  in  hearing  such  precious  truths  as  I  had 
then  a  view  'and  relish  of.  Blessed  he  the  Lord, 
that,  in  my  late  and  present  weakness,  my  mind  is 
not  gloomy  as  at  some  other  times. 

"7.  I  spent  the  day  chiefly  in  making  prepara 
tion  for  a  journey  into  the  wilderness,  i  was  still 
weak,  and  concerned  how  I  should  pel-form  so  diffi 
cult  a  journey.  1  spent  some  time  in  prayer  for 
the  divine  blessing;  hut  wanted  bodily  strength  t9 
spend  the  day  in  fasting  and  prayer." 

Having  made  every  necessary  arrangement,  lie 
proceeded,  on  March  the  eighth,  to  glorify  his  Re 
deemer,  in  carrying  the  Gospel  to  the  outcast,  and 
those  that  were  ready  to  perish,  and  began  his  sec 
ond  long  and  dismal  journey  to  Susquahannab. 
The  hardships  and  dangers  which  his  interpreter 
and  he  encountered  and  escaped  in  the  wilderness 
are  almost  incredible.  Once  he  was  overtaken  with 
a  north-easterly  storm,  and  frequently  he  slept  on  the 
cold  ground  without  a  covering:  the  consequence  of 
this  was,  an  ague  with  extreme  pains  in  the  head  and 
bowels,  and  a  great  evacuation  of  blood.  Wone  but 
such  a  spirit  as  Brairierd's  could  have  persevered 
amidst  so  many  afflictions  and  trials,  but  he  rose  su 
perior  to  them  all.  He  preached  wherever  he  had 
an  opportunity;  no  sense  of  danger  could  defer  him 
from  discharging  that  which  he  felt  to  be  an  imperi 
ous  duty;  and  the  performance  of  which  was,  in  his 
view,  more  than  a  compensation  for  all  his  discour 
agements  and  distresses.  On  the  thirtieth  of  May, 
after  having  rode  three  hundred  and  forty  miles,  and 
labored  \\ith  intense  zeal,  he  came  home  weak  and 
emaciated,  the  mere  shadow  of  a  man.  Yet,  on  the 
seventh  of  the  next  month,  he  travelled  another  fifty 
miles  to  assist  at  a  sacramental  occasion.  As 
soon  as  he  returned,  he  began  to  meditate  a  visit  to 
a  place  called  Croaweeksung,  and  on  June  the  eigh 
teenth  he  commenced  his  journey.  Brainerd  never 
indulged  his  imagination  with  visionary  schemes  of 


LIFE    OF  BHAINEK1). 

usefulness;  never  wasted  his  days  in  figuring  to 
himself  what  might  be  done,  and  what  he  w^ould  ac 
complish,  at  some  future  time:  but  his  plans  were  al 
ways  formed  to  be  executed,  as  soon  as  drawn  they 
were  acted  upon.  When  he  began  this  journey,  his 
body  was  very  feeble,  his  mind  dark  and  harassed 
with  discouragement.  He  had  preached  and  con 
versed  with  a  view  to  enlighten  the  poor  savages,  to 
whom  he  de voted  his  labors  almost  every  day,  at 
least  he  embraced  every  opportunity  which  presented 
itself,  without  ever  consulting  his  own  ease  or  health; 
and  he  had  travelled  on  horseback,  and  on  foot,  some 
thousands  of  miles,  through  the  most  dreary  regions, 
and  in  the  most  unfavorable  weather,  with  scarcely 
any  prospect  of  success:  yet  he  was  not  to  be  intim 
idated;  he  was  determined  to  labor  while  he  had  life; 
to  spend,  and  be  spent,  in  his  Master's  work.  He 
knew  nothing  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified, 
and  when  brought  in  competition  with  the  excellency 
of  this  knowledge,  he  counted  all  things  but  dung 
and  dross.  What  will  not  the  love  of  Christ  ac 
complish!  Animated  by  this  heavenly  principle,  the 
feeblest  mortal  will  rise  above  mortality,  and  exhibit 
miracles  of  fortitude,  magnanimity,  courage,  and 
perseverance.  It  is  only  this  principle  which  can 
reconcile  the  ministers  and  the  missionaries  of  the 
cross  to  incessant  disappointment,  and  which  will 
lead  them  to  derive  from  disappointment  itself  new 
motives  for  unwearied  and  increased  exertions. 
The  Savior  well  knew  the  difficulties  which  the 
apostle  Peter  must  encounter  in  fulfilling  his  apos 
tolic  mission;  and  before  he  sent  him  forth,  he  asked, 
"Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me?"  And  unless 
Brainerd  could  have  answered  this  question  aright, 
tie  would  soon  have  abandoned  a  station,  and  an  em 
ployment,  which  promised  him  nothing  but  poverty, 
hardships,  and  an  untimely  grave.  But  the  love  of 
Christ  constrained  him;  and  notwithstanding  he  had, 
for  two  years,  almost  labored  in  vain,  compassion  for 
perishing  souls,  a  portion  of  that  divine  affection 
which  led  Jesus  Christ  to  the  accursed  tree,  and 


LIFE    OF   BRJLltfERD.  105 


which  would  not  suffer  him  to  come  down  from  the 
cross,  made  him  resolve,  though  standing  on  the  shore 
of  a  sea  of  dangers,  "to  go  forward." 


CHAPTER  VII. 

t,\Tr.  Brainerd's  reception  at  Croswecksung.  His 
preaching.  His  journies.  His  amazing  success. 
Jin  abridgment  of  his  journal,  and  extracts  from 
his  private  diary.  His  illuess9  and  return  from 
his  last  journey  to  Susquahannah. 

IN  the  book  of  human  life,  there  are  generally  a  few 
bright  pages:  and  it  is  now  the  pleasing  task  of  the 
biographer  of  Brainerd,  to  record  events  the  most 
delightful  and  satisfactory.  Hitlterto,  we  have  seen 
him  the  pious  missionary,  going  forth  weeping, 
bearing  precious  seed.  But  now,  the  smile  of  joy 
lightens  up  his  countenance,  the  days  of  his  mourn 
ing  are  ended,  and  his  reception  and  success  at  Cros- 
weeksung,  abundantly  prove,  that  the  conversion  of 
untutored,  uncivilized  men  to  Christianity,  by  the 
simple  means  of  preaching,  is  not  an  impossible,  nor 
a  wild  and  imaginary  thing.  The  Gospel,  among 
bond  and  free,  the  civilized  and  barbarous,  when  ac 
companied  with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from 
heaven,  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation.  The 
sons  of  worldly  wisdom,  who  take  only  a  superficial 
glance  of  the  subject,  who  judge  of  Christianity  as  a 
mere  human  system,  exclaim,  "civilize,  before  you 
attempt  to  evangelize."  But  from  the  success  of 
Brainerd  among  the  American  savages  it  appears, 
that  instruction  in  the  Christian  religion  is  the  best 
and  most  effectual  means  of  civilization:  and  as  to 
the  difficulties  of  teaching  this  religion  to  barbarians, 
it  was  found  equally  difficult  to  teach  it  to  polished 
Athens,  and  learned  Rome.  Christ  was  crucified  by 
a  civilized  people,  and  so  were  his  apostles  and  first 
evangelists.  Divine  influence  is,  at  all  times,  and  in 


104  LIFE    OF    BRAIKERD. 

all  circumstances,  absolutely  necessary  to  render 
the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  successful  in  the  conver 
sion  of  souls;  and  if  this  be  withheld,  whether  in 
Britain,  or  in  Africa,  the  carnal  mind,  savage  or 
civilized,  will  be  enmity  against  God.  Like  Paul, 
the  missionaries  and  ministers  of  Christ  "are  debt 
ors  to  the  Greeks,  and  to  the  barbarians;  both  to  the 
wise  and  to  the  unwise."  And  while  this  command 
and  promise  stand  on  record,  "Go  ye  forth,  and 
preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature;  and  lo  1  am 
with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world;'* 
the  outward  circumstances  of  men  can  never  abro 
gate  a  law  which  provides  against  every  discourage 
ment.  Duty  is  plain,  and  difficulties  should  not  be 
considered:  they  must  smooth  themselves  away 
before  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  and  missiona 
ries  should  not  tremble  at  the  prospect  of  w  hat  they 
conceive  to  be  insurmountable  barriers,  for 

"He  can  add  wings  when  he  commands  to  fly." 

The  crying  sin  of  Christians  in  ages  that  are  past, 
has  been  that  they  have  conferred  with  flesh  and 
blood,  and  staggered  at  the  promise  of  God  through 
unbelief;  and  it  will  be  well  if  the  blood  of  souls  be 
not  required  at  our  hands:  "Deliver  thy  servants 
from  blood  guiltiness,  O  Lord." 

When  Mr.  Brainerd  arrived  at  Crosweeksung,  he 
found  but  few  persons,  and  perceived  that  the  Indians 
in  those  parts  were  very  much  scattered,  there  being 
not  more  than  two  or  three  families  in  a  place;  and 
these  small  settlements,  six,  ten.  fifteen,  twenty,  and 
thirty  miles  from  the  spot  which  he  had  chosen,  on 
which  to  commence  his  labors.  To  those  few,  how 
ever,  who  were  there  at  the  time,  he  preached;  they 
appeared  well  disposed,  and  when  he  informed  them 
that  he  was  willing  to  preach  to  them  again  the  next 
day;  the  women  (for  he  had  no  male  hearers,)  like 
the  woman  of  Samaria,  seemed  desirous  that  others 
might  see  the  man  that  told  them  what  they  had  done 
in  their  lives  past,  and  the  misery  that  attended  their 
idolatrous  ways;  and  they  readily  set  out,  and  trav- 


LIFE  OF  BRAINERD.  105 

elled  ten  or  fifteen  miles,  in  order  to  give  notice  to 
some  of  their  Mends  at  that  distance.  It  will  be 
interesting  to  furnish  the  reader,  at  one  view,  with 
his  private  experience  and  public  labors  and  success. 
I  shall,  therefore,  present  them  in  connected  rela 
tion,  blending  the  most  important  parts  of  his  diary 
and  journal,  and  interspersing,  now  and  then,  a  few 
lines  to  give  information  respecting  his  removals 
from  place  to  place. 

"June  20.  Towards  night,  I  preached  to  the  In 
dians  again;  and  had  more  hearers  than  before.  In 
the  evening  1  enjoyed  peace  and  serenity  of  mind, 
composure  and  comfort  in  prayer:  and  was  enabled 
to  lift  up  my  head,  with  joy,  under  an  apprehension 
that  my  redemption  draws  nigh.  Oh,  blessed  be 
God,  that  there  remains  a  rest  to  his  poor  weary 
people. 

"21.  I  was  refreshed  in  secret  prayer;  but  saw 
myself  a  poor  worthless  creature,  without  wisdom  to 
direct,  or  strength  to  help  myself.  Blessed  be  God, 
that  lays  me  under  a  happy  necessity  of  living  upon 
himself! 

"22.     About  noon,  I  rode  to  the  Indians  againj 
and  near  night  preached  to  about  thirty  of  them.     I 
found  my  body  much  strengthened,  and  was  enabled 
to  speak  with  abundant  plainness  and  warmth.     And 
the  power   of  God  evidently   attended  the  word;  so 
that  sundry  persons  were  brought  under  great  con 
cern  for  their  souls,  and  made  to  shed  many  tears, 
and  to  wish  for  Christ  to  save  them.     My  soul  was 
much  refreshed,  and  quickened  in  my  work;  and  I 
could  not  but  spend  much  time  with  them,  in  order  to 
open  both  their  misery  and  remedy.     While  riding, 
before  I  came  to  the  Indians,  I  was  enabled  to  cry  to 
God  almost  incessantly.     In  the  evening  also  I  found 
the  consolations  of  God  were  not  small:  I  was  then 
willing  to  live,  and  in  some  respects  desirous  of  it, 
that  I  might  do  something  for  the  kingdom  of  Christ; 
and  yet  death  appeared  pleasant:  so  that  I  was  in  a 
strait  between  two.    I  am  often  weary  of  this  world 
10 


106  !LIFE    01?   BRAINERB. 

but  it  is  desirable  to  be  drawn,  rather  than  driven  out 
ofit. 

"Lord's-day,  June  23.  I  preached  to  the  Indians, 
and  spent  the  day  with  them. — Their  number  still 
increased;  and  all  with  one  consent  seemed  to  re 
joice  in  my  coming  among  them.  JNot  a  word  of  op 
position  was  heard  from  any,  although  in  times  past 
they  had  been  quite  opposite  to  any  thing  of  that  na 
ture. 

«'24.  I  preached  to  the  Indians  at  their  desire, 
and  upon  their  own  motion.  To  see  poor  Pagans 
desirous  of  hearing  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  animated 
me  to  discourse  with  them,  although  1  was  very  weak, 
and  my  spirits  much  exhausted.  They  attended 
with  the  greatest  seriousness  and  diligence;  and 
there  was  some  concern  apparent  among  them. 

«27.  I  preached  to  the  Indians  again.  Their 
number  now  amounted  to  about/or^  persons.  Their 
solemnity  and  attention  still  continued:  and  a  con 
siderable  concern  for  their  souls  became  very  appar 
ent  among  sundry  of  them. 

«*28.  The  Indians  being  now  gathered  a  consider 
able  number  of  them,  from  their  several  distant  hab 
itations^  requested  me  to  preach  twice  a  day  to  them, 
being  desirous  to  hear  as  much  as  they  could  while  I 
was  with  them.  I  cheerfully  complied,  and  could  not 
but  admire  the  goodness  of  God,  who  had  inclined 
them  to  inquire  after  the  way  of  salvation. 

"I  preached  twice  to  the  Indians:  arid  could  not 
but  wonder  at  their  seriousness,  and  the  strictness  of 
their  attention. — Blessed  be  God  that  he  has  inclined 
their  hearts  to  hear.  And  O  how  refreshing  it  is  to 
me,  to  see  them  attend  with  such  uncommon  diligence 
and  affection. 

"I  likewise  saw  the  hand  of  God  making  provision 
for  their  subsistence  together,in  order  to  their  being 
instructed.  For  this  day  and  the  day  before,  with 
only  walking  a  little  way  from  the  place  of  our  daily 
meeting,  they  killed  three  deer,  which  were  a  season 
able  supply  for  their  wants,  and  without  which  they 


JLIFE    OF   BRAINEUD,  107 

could  not  have  subsisted  together  in  order  to  attend 
the  means  of  grace. 

"LordVday,  June  SO.  I  preached  twice  this  day 
also  and  observed  more  concern  and  affection  among 
the  poor  Heathens  than  ever;  so  that  they  even  con 
strained  me  to  tarry  longer  vviih  them;  although  my 
constitution  was  exceedingly  worn  out,  and  my  health 
much  impaired  by  the  late  fatigues  and  labors, 
and  especially  by  my  late  journey  to  Susquahannah. 

"July  1.  I  preached  twice  to  a  very  serious  and 
attentive  assembly,  who  had  now  learned  to  attend 
the  worship  of  God  with  Christian  decency. 

"There  were  now  between  forty  and  fifty  persons 
of  them  present,  old  and  young. 

"i  spent  some  lime  in  discoursing  with  them  in 
private,  inquiring  what  they  remembered  of  the 
great  truths  that  had  been  taught  them.  It  was 
amazing  to  see  how  they  had  received  and  retained 
the  instructions  given  them,  and  what  a  measure  of 
knowledge  some  of  them  had  acquired  in  a  few  days. 

"2.  1  was  obliged  to  leave  these  Indians  at  Cros- 
weeksung,  thinking  it  my  duty,  as  soon  as  health 
would  admit,  to  visit  those  at  the  Forks  of  Delaware.. 
When  1  came  to  take  leave  of  them,  they  all  earnest 
ly  inquired  when  I  would  come  again,  and  expressed 
a  great  desire  of  being  farther  instructed:  and  of 
their  own  accord  agreed,  that  when  1  should  come 
again,  they  would  all  meet  and  live  together  during 
my  continuance  with  them;  and  that  they  would  do 
their  utmost  endeavors  to  gather  all  the  other  In 
dians  in  those  parts  that  were  farther  remote.  And 
when  I  parted,  one  told  me,  with  many  tears,  lshe 
wish™!  God  would  change  her  heart:' another  that  <she 
wanted  to  find  Christ:' and  anoldman(thathadbeenono 
of  their  chiefs,  wept  bitterly.  1  then  promised  them 
to  return  as  speedily  as  my  health,  and  business  else 
where  would  admit,  and  felt  not  a  little  concerned  at 
parting,  lest  good  impressions,  then  apparent  upon 
them,  might  wear  off. 

"Afterwards  I  rode  to  Brunswick,  near  forty 
miles,  and  lodged  there.  I  felt  my  heart  drawn  ont 


108  XIFE    OF  BRAINEKD. 

after  God  in  prayer,  almost  all  the  afternoon.  Ami 
in  the  evening,  could  not  help  crying  to  God  for 
these  poor  Indians;  and  after  1  went  to  bed,  my 
heart  continued  to  go  out  to  God  for  them,  until  I 
dropped  asleep." 

He  was  now  so  worn  out  by  constant  preaching, 
that  he  found  it  necessary  to  give  himself  some  re 
laxation.  He  spent  therefore  about  a  week  in  New 
Jersey,  visiting  several  ministers,  and  performing 
some  necessary  business.  And  though  he  was  very 
weak  in  body,  yet  he  seems  to  have  heen  strong  in 
spirit.  On  July  12,  he  arrived  at  his  own  house  in 
the  Forks  of  Delaware;  continuing  still  frue  from 
melancholy;  and  from  day  to  day  enjoyed  freedom 
and  refreshment. 

"Lord's-day,  July  14.  I  discoursed  to  the  Indians 
twice,  several  of  whom  appeared  convinced  of  their 
sin  and  misery:  so  that  they  wept  much  the  whole 
time  of  divine  service.  Afterwards  I  discoursed  to 
a  number  of  white  people  then  present. 

"18.  1  longed  to  spend  the  little  inch  of  time  I 
have  in  the  world  for  God.  Felt  a  spirit  of  serious 
ness,  tenderness,  and  devotion;  and  wished  to  spend 
the  whole  night  in  prayer  and  communion  with  God. 

"19.  In  the  evening  I  walked  abroad  for  prayer 
and  meditation:  and  enjo)ed  composure  and  freedom 
in  these  sweet  exercises;  especially  in  meditation  on 
Rev.  iii,  12,  «Him  that  overcome!!),  will  I  make  a  pil 
lar  in  the  temple  of  my  God,'  £c.  This  was  a  de 
lightful  theme.  Oh,  when  shall  I  go  no  more  ont 
from  the  service  arid  enjoyment  of  my  dear  Lord, 
Lord,  hasten  the  blessed  day. 

"Lord's  day,  21.  I  preached  to  the  Indians  first 
then  to  a  number  of  white  people,  and  in  the  after 
noon  to  the  Indians  again.  Divine  truths  seemed  to 
make  very  considerable  impressions  upon  several  o£ 
them,  and  caused  the  tears  to  flow7  freely. 

"Afterwards  I  baptized  my  interpreter  and  his  tvije, 
who  were  the  first  1  baptised  among  the  Indians. 

"They  are  both  persons  of  some  experimental 
knowledge  in  religion;  have  both  been  awakened  U> 


LIFE    01?   BRAINEUD,  109 

a  solemn  concern  for  their  souls,  and  brought  to  a 
sense  of  their  misery  and  undoncness:  and  have  both 
been  comforted  with  divine  consolations. 

"It  may  perhaps  he  satisfactory  that  I  should  give 
some  relation  of  iny  interpreter's  experience  since  he 
lias  been  with  me. 

"When  1  first  employed  him  in  the  beginning  of 
summer,  1744,  he  was  well  fitted  for  his  work  in  re 
gard  of  his  acquaintance  with  the  Indian  and  En 
glish  language;  and  in  regard  of  his  desire  that  the 
Indians  should  conform  to  the  customs  and  manners 
of  the  English.  But  he  seemed  to  have  no  impres 
sion  of  religion,  and  in  that  respect  was  very  uiifit 
for  his  work,  being  incapable  of  understanding  and 
communicating  to  others  many  tilings  of  importance; 
so  that  I  labored  under  great  disadvantages  in  ad 
dressing  the  Indians,  for  want  of  his  having  an  ex 
perimental  acquaintance  with  divine  truths;  and  at 
times  I  was  much  discouraged,  when  I  observed  that 
divine  truths  made  little  or  no  impression  upon  him 
for  many  weeks  together. 

«'Hc  indeed  behaved  soberly  (although  before  he 
had  been  a  hard  drinker,}  and  seemed  honestly  en 
gaged  as  far  as  he  was  capable  in  the  performance 
of  his  work,  and  especially  he  was  very  desirous  that 
the  Indians  should  conform  to  the  customs  of  the 
Christian  world.  But  still  seemed  to  have  no  con 
cern  about  his  own  soul. 

"Near  the  latter  end  of  July,  1744, 1  preached  to 
an  assembly  of  white  people,  with  freedom  and  fer 
vency:  at  which  time  he  was  present,  and  somewhat 
awakened;  so  that  the  next  day  he  discoursed  freely 
with  me  about  his  spiritual  concerns,  and  gave  me  an 
opportunity  to  use  farther  endeavors  to  fasten  the 
impressions  upon  his  mind;  I  could  indeed  plainly 
perceive  after  this,  that  he  addressed  the  Indians 
with  more  concern  and  fervency. 

"But  these  impressions  seemed  to  decline,  until  iu 
the  fall  of  the  year  following  he  fell  into  a  weak  state 
of  body.  At  this  season  divine  truth  took  hold  of 
him,  and  made  deep  impressions  upon  his  mind.  lie 


110  LIFE  OF  BRAINEBD. 

was  brought  under  great  concern  for  his  soul,  and 
was  burdened  from  day  to  day.  His  trouble  prevail 
ed,  until  at  length  his  sleep  departed  from  him,  and 
he  had  little  rest  day  or  night;  but  walked  about 
under  great  pressure  of  mind,  and  appeared  like 
another  man  to  his  neighbors,  who  could  not  but  ob 
serve  his  behavior  with  wonder. 

"After  he  had  been  sometime  striving  for  mercy 
he  saye,  there  seemed  to  be  an  impassable  mountain 
before  him.  He  was  pressing  towards  heaven,  but 
his  way  was  hedged  up  with  thorns,  that  he  could  not 
stir  an  inch  farther.'  He  looked  this  way  and  that 
way,  but  could  find  no  way  at  all.  He  felt,  4It  signi 
fied  just  nothing  at  all  to  strive  and  struggle 
any  more.'  And  here,  he  says,  he  gave  over  striving, 
and  felt  that  it  was  a  gone  case  with  him,  as  to  his 
own  power,  foul  all  his  attempts  were,  and  forever 
would  be,  vain  and  fruitless. 

"He  knew,  he  said,  he  W7as  not  guilty  of  some 
wicked  actions  as  others  were  guilty  of.  He  had 
not  been  used  to  steal,  quarrel,  and  murder;  the  lat 
ter  of  which  is  common  among  the  Indians.  He  like 
wise  knew  that  he  had  done  many  things  that  were 
right.  But  still  his  cry  was,  «that  he  had  never  done 
one  good  thing*  (meaning  that  he  had  never  done 
any  thing  from  a  right  principle,  arid  with  a  right 
view,  though  he  had  done  many  things  that  were 
materially  good.)  And  now  I  thought  said  he,  that  I 
must  sink  down  to  hell,  that  there  was  no  hope  for 
me,  'because  I  never  could  do  any  thing  that  was 
good;  and  if  God  let  me  alone  never  so  long,  and  I 
should  try  never  so  much,  still  1  should  do  nothing 
but  what  is  bad.' 

"There  was  one  thing  more  in  his  view  of  things 
that  was  very  remarkable.  He  not  only  saw  what  a 
miserable  state  he  himself  was  in,  but  he  saw  the 
world  around  him  wrere  in  the  same  perishing  circum 
stances.  And  this  he  saw  clearly,  <as  if  he  now 
awaked  out  of  sleep,  or  had  a  cloud  taken  from  before 
his  eyes.'  He  saw  that  the  life  he  had  lived  was  the 
way  to  eternal  death,  that  he  was  now  on  the  brink 


OF  BRAIKEHB.  Ill 

ef  endless  misery:  and  when  he  looked  around  he 
saw  multitudes  of  others  who  had  lived  the  same 
life  with  himself,  had  no  more  goodness  than  he,  and 
yet  dreamed  that  they  were  sate  enough,  as  he  had 
formerly  done. 

"After  he  had  been  for  some  time  in  this  condition, 
sensible  of  the  impossibility  of  helping  himself;  then 
he  says,  it  was  borne  in  upon  his  mind  as  if  it  had 
been  audibly  spoken,  'there  is  hope,  there  is  hope.' 
Whereupon  his  soul  seemed  to  rest  arid  be  in  some 
measure  satisfied,  though  he  had  no  considerable  joy: 
neither  can  he  remember  distinctly  any  views  he  had 
of  Christ,  or  give  any  clear  account  of  his  accept 
ance  through  him. 

"But  these  exercises  of  soul  were  followed  by  a 
great  change,  so  that  it  might  justly  he  said,  he  was 
become  another  man.  He  was  much  altered,  and 
even  the  world  could  not  but  admire  what  had  befal 
len  him  to  make  so  great  a  change  in  his  temper, 
discourse,  and  behavior. 

"And  especially  there  was  a  surprising  alteration 
in  his  public  performances.  He  now  addressed  the 
Indians  with  admirable  fervency,  and  scarce  knew 
when  to  leave  off:  and  sometimes  when  1  had  con 
cluded  my  discourse,  and  was  returning  homeward, 
he  would  tarry  behind  to  repeat  and  inculcate  what 
had  been  spoken, 

"His  change  is  abiding,  and  his  life  unblemished  to 
this  day,  though  it  is  now  more  titan  six  months  since 
he  experienced  it;  in  which  space  he  has  been  as 
much  exposed  to  strong  drink  as  possible,  in  divers 
places;  and  yet  has  never  discovered  any  desire 
after  it. 

"He  seems  to  have  a  very  considerable  experience 
of  spiritual  exercise  and  discourses  feelingly  of  the 
conflicts  and  consolations  of  a  real  Christian.  His 
heart  echoes  to  the  soul  humbling  doctrines  of  grace, 
and  he  never  appears  better  pleased  than  when  he 
hears  of  the  absolute  sovereignty  of  God,  and  the 
salvation  of  sinners  JM  a  way  of  mere  free  grace.  He 
has  likewise  of  late  had  more  satisfaction  respecting 


112  ilEE    OF   BRAINERD. 

his  own  state,  has  been  much  enlivened  and  assisted 
in  his  work,  so  that  lie  has  heen  a  great  comfort  to 
me. 

"And  upon  strict  observation  of  his  Christian  tem 
per,  and  unblemished  behavior  for  so  considerable  a 
time,  I  think  I  have  reason  to  hope  that  he  is  <cre- 
ated  anew  in  Christ  Jesus  to  good  works.' 

"His  name  is  Moses  Tinda  Tautamy;  he  is  about 
fifty  years  of  age,  and  pretty  well  acquainted  witli 
the  notions  and  customs  of  his  countrymen,  and  so 
is  the  better  able  to  expose  them.  He  has  already 
been,  and  1  trust  will  yet  be  a  blessing  to  other  In 
dians. 

"July  26.  In  the  evening,  God  was  pleased  to  help 
me  in  prayer  beyond  what  I  have  experienced  for 
some  time;  especially  for  the  enlargement  of  Christ's 
kingdom,  and  for  the  conversion  of  my  poor  people: 
my  soul  relied  on  God  for  the  accomplishment  of 
that  great  work.  Oh,  how  sweet  were  the  thoughts 
of  death  to  me  at  this  time!  How  1  longed  to  be 
\vith  Christ,  to  be  employed  in  the  glorious  work  of 
angels,  and  with  an  angel's  freedom,  vigor,  and  de 
light!  And  yet  how  willing  was  I  to  stay  awhile  on 
earth,  that  1  might  do  something,  if  the  Lord  pleased, 
for  his  interest.  My  soul  longed  for  the  in-gathering 
of  the  poor  heathen:  and  I  cried  to  God  for  them 
most  willingly  and  heartily.  This  was  a  sweet  sea 
son;  1  had  a  lively  taste  of  heaven,  and  a  temper 
suited  in  some  measure  to  the  entertainments  of  it. 
My  soul  was  grieved  to  leave  the  place;  but  my  body 
was  weak  and  worn  out.  I  longed  that  the  remain 
ing  part  of  my  life  might  be  filled  up  with  more  fer 
vency  and  activity  in  the  things  of  God.  Oh  the 
inward  peace,  composure,  and  god- like  serenity  of 
such  a  frame!  Heaven  must  needs  differ  from  this 
only  in  degree,  and  not  in  kind. 

"LordVday,  July  28.  1  preached  again,  and  per 
ceived  my  people  more  thoughtful  than  ever.  I  was 
told  by  some,  that  seeing  my  interpreter  and  I»s  vufe 
baptized,  made  them  more  concerned  than  any  thing 
they  had  ever  seen  or  heard.  There  was  indeed  a 


OF  ERAIWERD.  *   113 

considerable  appearance  of  divine  power  among  them 
at  the  time  that  ordinance  was  administered. 

"July  30.  I  discoursed  to  a  number  of  my  people 
and  gave  them  particular  advice  and  direction,  being 
now  about  to  leave  them  for  the  present,  in  order  to 
renew  my  visit  to  the  Indians  at  New  Jersey.  They 
were  very  attentive,  and  earnestly  desirous  to  know 
when  I  designed  to  return." 

On  July  31,  he  set  out  on  his  return  to  Crosweek- 
sung,  and  arrived  there  the  next  day.  In  his  way 
he  had  longing  desires  that  he  might  come  to  the  In 
dians  in  the  '•fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ;'  attended  with  a  sense  of  his  own  great  weak 
ness,  dependance,  and  worthlessness. 

"August  2.  In  the  evening  1  retired,  and  my  soul 
was  drawn  out  in  prayer  to  God;  especially  for  my 
poor  people,  to  whom  I  had  sent  word  to  gather  to 
gether,  that  I  might  preach  to  them  the  next  day.  I 
was  much  enlarged  in  praying  for  their  conversion; 
and  scarce  ever  found  my  desires  of  any  thing  of 
this  nature  so  sensibly  and  clearly,  and  free  from 
selfish  views.  I  had  no  desire  to  be  the  instrument 
of  so  glories*  Irork  as  I  prayed  for  among  the  In 
dians;  if  the  blessed  work  might  be  accomplished  to 
the  honor  of  God,  and  the  enlargement  of  the  (leap 
Redeemer's  kingdom,  this  was  all  my  desire  and 
care;  and  for  this  merry  I  hoped,  but  with  trembling. 
My  rising  hopes,  respecting  the  conversion  of  the 
Indians,  have  been  often  dashed,  that  my  spirit  is  as 
it  were  broken,  and  I  hardly  dare  hope. 

"8.  I  now  found  them  serious,  and  a  number  of 
them  under  deep  concern  for  an  interest  in  Christ: 
their  convictions  of  their  sinful  and  perishing  state 
having,  in  my  absence,  been  much  promoted  by  the 
labors  of  the  Rev.  William  Tennent,  to  whom  I  had 
advised  them  to  apply,  and  whose  house  they  had 
frequented  much:  I  preached  to  them  this  day  on 
Rev.  xxii,  17,  'And  whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the 
water  of  life  freely.' 

"I  was  enabled  to  set  before  them  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  as  a  kind  and  compassionate  Savior,  inviting 


114-  LIFE    OF   ERAINERD. 

distressed  and  perishing  sinners  to  accept  everlast 
ing  mercy.  A  surprising  concern  soon  appeared 
among  them.  There  were  about  twenty  adult  per 
sons  together  (many  of  the  Indians  at  remote  places, 
not  having,  as  yet,  had  time  to  come  since  my  re 
turn,)  and  not  above  two  that  I  could  see  with  dry 
eyes.  Some  discovered  vehement  longings  after 
Christ,  to  save  them  from  the  misery  they  felt  and 
feared. 

"Lord's-day,  August  4.  Being  invited  by  a  neigh 
boring  minister  to  assist  in  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  supper,  I  complied  with  his  request,  and  took 
the  Indians  along  with  me;  not  only  those  that  were 
together  the  day  before,  but  many  more  that  were 
coming  to  hear  me:  so  that  there  were  near  fifty  in 
all. 

"They  attend  the  several  discourses  of  the  day; 
some  of  them  were  much  affected,  and  all  seemed  to 
have  their  concern  raised. 

"Now  a  change  in  their  manners  began  to  appear. 
In  the  evening,  when  they  came  to  sup  together,  they 
would  not  taste  a  morsel  till  they  had  sent  to  me  to 
come  and  ask  a  blessing  on  their  foodj  at  which  time 
sundry  of  them  wept,  especially  when  I  reminded 
them  how  they  had,  in  times  past,  eat  their  feasts  in 
honor  to  devils,  and  neglected  to  thank  God  for  them. 

"5.  Alter  a  sermon  had  been  preached  by  another 
minister,  I  preached,  and  concluded  the  public  work 
of  the  solemnity,  from  John  vii,  37.  In  my  discourse 
I  addressed  the  Indians  in  particular,  who  eat  by 
themselves  in  a  part  of  the  house;  at  which  time  one 
or  two  of  them  were  struck  with  deep  concern  who 
had  been  little  affected  before;  others  had  their  con 
cern  increased  to  a  considerable  degree.  In  the 
evening  I  discoursed  to  them,  and  found  them  uni 
versally  engaged,  inquiring,  'what  they  should  do  to 
be  saved?'  And  all  their  conversation  among  them 
selves  turned  upon  religious  matters,  in  which  they 
\\ere  much  assisted  by  my  interpreter,  who  was  \\ith 
them  day  and  night. 


TLIFE    OF   BRAIKERB.  115 

"This  day  there  was  one  woman  that  had  been 
much  concerned  ever  since  she  heard  me  preach  in 
June,  who  obtained  comfort,  I  trust,  solid  and  well 
grounded:  she  seemed  to  be  filled  with  love  to  Christ: 
at  the  same  time  she  behaved  humbly  and  tenderly, 
and  appeared  afraid  of  nothing  so  much  as  grieving 
him  whom  her  soul  loved. 

«6.  In  the  morning  I  discoursed  to  the  Indians  at 
the  house  where  we  lodged;  many  of  them  were  then 
much  affected,  so  that  a  few  words  about  their  souls 
would  cause  the  tears  to  flow  freely,  and  produce 
many  sobs  and  groans. 

"In  the  afternoon  they  being  returned  to  the  place 
where  I  have  usually  preached  among  them,!  again 
discoursed  to  them  there.  There  were  about  fifty- 
five  persons  in  all,  about  forty  that  were  capable  of 
attending  divine  service  with  understanding:  I  insist 
ed  upon  1  John  iv,  10,  'Herein  is  love.'  &c.  They 
seemed  eager  of  hearing;  but  there  appeared  nothing 
very  remarkable  till  near  the  close  of  my  discourse, 
and  then  divine  truths  were  attended  with  a  surpris 
ing  influence.  There  was  scarce  three  in  forty  that 
Gould  refrain  from  tears  and  bitter  cries.  They  all 
as  one  seemed  in  an  agony  of  soul  to  obtain  an  in 
terest  in  Christ;  and  the  more  I  discoursed  of  the 
love  and  compassion  of  God,  in  sending  his  Son  to 
suffer  for  the  sins  of  men;  and  the  more  1  invited 
them  to  come  and  partake  of  his  love,  the  more  their 
distress  was  aggravated. 

"It  was  surprising  to  see  how  their  hearts  were 
pierced  with  the  tender  invitations  of  the  Gospel 
when  there  was  not  a  word  of  terror  spoken  to  them. 

"There  was  this  day  two  persons  that  obtained 
comfort,  which  (when  1  came  to  discourse  with  them) 
appeared  solid,  rational,  and  scriptural.  After  I  had 
inquired  into  the  grounds  of  their  comfort,  I  asked 
what  they  wanted  God  to  do  further  for  them?  They 
replied, 'they  wanted  Christ  should  wipe  their  hearts 
quite  clean.' 

"7.  I  preached  to  the  Indians  from  Isaiah  liii,  3, 
10.  There  was  a  remarkable  influence  attending 


116  !LIFE    OF  BRAINERD. 

the  word.  Most  were  much  affected,  and  many  in 
great  distress;  and  some  could  neither  go  nor  stand, 
but  lay  flat  on  the  ground,  as  if  pierced  at  heart,  cry 
ing  incessantly  for  mercy;  several  were  newly 
awakened,  and  it  was  remarkable,  that  as  fast  as  they 
came  from  remote  places  round  about,  the  Spirit  of 
God  seemed  to  seize  them. 

"After  public  service  I  found  two  persons  more 
that  had  newly  met  with  comfort,  of  whom  I  had 
good  hopes;  and  a  third  that  I  could  not  but  enter 
tain  some  hopes  of,  so  that  here  were  now  six  in  all, 
that  had  got  some  relief  from  their  spiritual  distres 
ses,  and  live  whose  experience  appeared  clear  and 
satisfactory. 

"8.  in  the  afternoon  I  preached  to  the  Indians, 
their  number  was  now  about  sixty-five  persons,  men, 
women,  and  children,  i  discoursed  from  Luke  xiv, 
16 — 23,  and  was  favored  with  uncommon  freedom. 

"There  was  much  concern  among  them  while  I 
was  discoursing  publicly;  but  afterwards,  when  I 
spoke  to  one  and  another  more  particularly,  whom  I 
perceived  under  concern,  the  power  of  God  seemed 
to  descend  upon  the  assembly, — "-Like  a  rushing 
mighty  wind,'  and  with  an  astonishing  energy  bore 
down  all  before  it. 

"I  stood  amazed  at  the  influence  that  seized  the 
audience  almost  universally,  and  could  compare  it  to 
nothing  more  aptly  than  a  mighty  torrent,  that  bears 
down  and  sweeps  before  it  whatever  is  in  its  way. 
Almost  all  persons  of  all  ages,  were  bowed  down, 
together,  and  scarce  one  w;  s  able  to  withstand  the 
shock  of  this  surprising  operation.  Old  men  and 
women,  who  had  been  drunken  wretches  for  many 
years,  and  some  little  children,  not  more  than  six  or 
seven  years  of  age,  appeared  in  distress  for  their 
souls,  as  well  as  persons  of  middle  age.  Arid  it  was 
apparent  these  children  were  not  merely  frighted  with 
seeing  the  general  concern,  but  were  made  sensible 
of  their  danger,  the  badness  of  their  hearts,  and  their 
misery  without  Christ.  The  most  stubborn  hearts 
were  now  obliged  to  bow.  A  principal  man  among 


LIFE    OF   BKAINERD.  ll? 

the  Indians,  who  before  thought  his  state  good,  be" 
cause  he  knew  more  than  the  generality  of  Indians, 
and  who  with  great  confidence  the  day  before,  told  me, 
'he  had  been  a  Christian  more  than  ten  years,'  was 
now  brought  under  solemn  concern  for  his  soul,  and 
wept  bitterly.  Another  man,  considerable  in  years, 
who  had  been  a  murderer,  a  pawtvaiv,  and  a  notori 
ous  drunkard^  was  likewise  brought  now  to  cry  for 
mercy  with  many  tears,  and  to  complain  much  that 
he  could  be  no  more  concerned  when  he  saw  his  dan 
ger  so  great. 

"There  were  almost  universally  praying  and  cry 
ing  for  mercy  in  every  part  of  the  house,  and  many 
out  of  doors,  and  numbers  could  neither  go  nor  stand; 
their  concern  was  so  great,  each  for  himself,  that 
none  seemed  to  take  any  notice  of  those  about  them, 
but  each  prayed  for  themselves;  and  were,  to  their 
own  apprehension,  as  much  retired  as  if  every  one 
had  been  by  himself  in  a  desert,  or,  rather,  they 
thought  nothing  about  any  but  themselves,  and  so 
were  every  one  praying  apart,  although  all  together. 

"It  seemed  to  me  there  was  an  exact  fulfilment  of 
that  prophecy,  Zech.  xii,10,  1 1,  12,  for  there  was  now 
<a  great  mourning,  like  the  mourning  of  Hadadrirn- 
mon;' — and  each  seemed  to  'mourn  apart.'  Me- 
thought  this  had  a  near  resemblance  to  the  day  of 
God's  power,  mentioned  Josh,  x,  14,  for  I  must  say,  I 
never  saw  any  day  like  it  in  all  respects;  it  was  a  day 
wherein  the  Lord  did  much  destroy  the  kingdom  of 
darkness  among  this  people. 

"This  concern  was  most  rational  and  just:  those 
who  had  been  awakened  any  considerable  time,  com 
plained  especially  of  the  badness  of  their  hearts; 
those  newly  awakened,  of  the  badness  of  their  lives 
.and  actions;  and  all  were  afraid  of  the  anger  of  God; 
arid  of  everlasting  misery  as  the  desert  of  their  sins. 

"Some  of  the  white  people,  who  came  out  of  curi 
osity  to  'hear  what  this  babbler  would  say,'  to  the 
poor  ignorant  Indians,  were  much  awakened,  and 
appeared  to  be  wounded  with  a  view  of  their  perish 
ing  state. 

11 


118  LIFE    OF   URAINERD. 

"Those  who  had  lately  obtained  relief,  were  filled 
with  comfort;  they  appeared  calm,  and  rejoiced  in 
Christ  Jesus;  and  some  of  them  took  their  distressed 
friends  by  the  hand,  telling  them  of  the  goodness  of 
Christ,  and  the  comfort  that  is  to  be  enjoyed  in  him, 
and  invited  them  to  come  and  give  up  their  hearts  to 
him.  And  I  could  observe  some  of  them,  in  the  most 
unaffected  manner,  lifting  up  their  eyes,  to  heaven, 
as  if  crying  for  mercy,  while  they  saw  the  distress  of 
the  poor  souls  around  them. 

"There  was  one  remarkable  instance  this  day, 
that  I  cannot  but  take  particular  notice  of.  A  young 
Indian  woman,  who  I  believe,  never  knew  before  she 
had  a  soul,  hearing  that  there  was  something  strange 
among  the  Indians,  came  to  see  what  was  the  matter. 
I  had  not  proceeded  far  in  my  discourse,  before  she 
felt  effectually  that  she  had  a  soul;  and  before  I  had 
concluded,  was  so  convinced  of  her  sin  and  misery, 
and  so  distressed  with  concern  for  her  soul,  that  she 
seemed  like  one  pierced  through  with  a  dart,  and 
cried  out  incessantly.  She  could  neither  go  nor  stand, 
nor  sit  on  her  seat  without  being  held  up.  After 
public  service  was  over,  she  lay  flat  on  the  ground 
praying  earnestly,  and  would  take  no  notice  of,  nor 
give  any  answer  to  any  one -that  spoke  to  her.  I 
hearkened  to  hear  what  she  said,  and  perceived  the 
burden  of  her  prayer  to  be  guttummaukalummeh  we- 
chaumeh  kmelch  Ndah  i.  e.  «have  mercy  on  me, 
and  help  me  to  give  you  my  heart.'  And  thus  she 
continued  praying  incessantly  for  many  hours. 

"August  9.  1  spent  almost  the  whole  day  with 
the  Indians,  the  former  part  of  it  in  discoursing  with 
them  privately,  especially,  some  who  lately  received 
comfort,  and  endeavoring  to  inquire  into  the  grounds 
of  it,  as  well  as  to  give  them  some  proper  instruc 
tions,  cautions,  and  directions. 

"in  the  afternoon  I  discoursed  to  them  publicly. 
There  were  now  present  about  seventy  persons.  I 
opened  and  applied  the  parable  of  the  sower,  and  was 
enabled  to  discourse  with  much  plainness.  There 
wore  many  tears  among  them  while  I  was  discours- 


LIFE    OF    BIIAINERD.  119 

ing,  but  no  considerable  cry:  yet  some  were  much 
affected  with  a  few  words  spoken  from  Matt,  xi,  28, 
with  which  I  concluded.  But  while  I  was  discours 
ing  near  night  to  two  or  three  of  the  awakened  per 
sons,  a  divine  influence  seemed  to  attend  what  was 
spoken,  which  caused  the  persons  to  cry  out  in  an 
guish  of  soul,  although  i  spoke  not  a  word  of  terror: 
but,  on  the  contrary,  set  before  them  the  fulness  of 
Christ's  merits,  and  his  willingness  to  save  all  that 
came  to  him. 

"The  cry  of  these  was  beard  by  others,  who, 
though  scattered  before,  immediately  gathered  round. 
I  then  proceeded  in  the  same  strain  of  gospel  invi 
tation,  till  they  were  all  melted  into  tears  and  cries, 
except  two  or  three;  and  seemed  in  the  greatest  dis 
tress  to  find  and  secure  an  interest  in  the  great  Re 
deemer. — Some  who  had  but  little  more  than  a  ruffle 
made  in  their  passions  the  day  before,  seemed  now  to 
be  deeply  affected,  and  the  concern  in  general  ap 
peared  near  as  prevalent  as  the  day  before.  There 
was  indeed  a  very  great  mourning  among  them,  and 
yet  every  one  seemed  to  mourn  apart.  For  so  great 
was  their  concern,  that  almost  every  one  was  praying 
and  crying  for  himself,  as  if  none  had  been  near. 
'Gnttummankalummeh,  guttuinmaukalumineh9  i.  e. 
'Have  mercy  upon  me,  have  mercy  upon  me;'  was 
the  common  cry. 

"It  was  very  affecting  to  sec  the  poor  Indians,  who 
the  other  day  were  yelling  in  their  idolatrous  feasts, 
isow  crying  to  God  with  such  importunity,  for  an 
interest  in  his  dear  Sou! 

UI  found  two  or  three  who,  I  hope,  bad  taken 
comfort  upon  good  grounds  since  the  evening  before: 
and  these  with  others  that  had  obtained  comfort 
were  together,  and  seemed  to  rejoice  much  that  God 
was  carrying  on  his  work  with  such  power  upon 
others. 

"August  10.  I  began  to  discourse  privately  with 
those  who  .had  obtained  comfort;  endeavoring  to 
instruct,  direct,  caution,  and  comfort  them.  But 
others  being  eager  of  hearing  every  word  that  relat- 


]£0  EIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

ed  to  spiritual  concerns,  soon  came  together  one  after 
another:  and  when  I  had  discoursed  to  the  young  con 
verts  more  than  halt'  an  hour,  they  seemed  much 
melted  with  divine  things,  and  earnestly  desirous  to 
be  with  Christ. 

"When  I  had  spent  some  time  with  these,  I  turned 
to  the  other  Indians,  and  spoke  to  them  from  Luke 
xix,  10.  I  had  not  discoursed  long  hefore  their 
concern  rose  to  a  great  degree,  and  the  house  was 
filled  with  cries  and  groans.  And  when  1  insisted  on 
the  compassion  and  care  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
for  those  that  "were  lost  and  could  find  no  way  of  es 
cape,  this  melted  them  down  the  more,  and  aggra 
vated  their  distress,  that  they  could  not  come  to  so 
kind  a  Savior. 

"Sundry  persons,  who  before  had  been  but  slightly 
awakened,  were  now  deeply  wounded.  And  one 
man  in  particular,  W'ho  was  never  before  awakened, 
was  now  made  to  feel  that  'the  word  of  the  Lord  was 
quick  and  powerful,  sharper  than  any  two  edged 
sword.'  He  seemed  to  be  pierced  to  the  heart  and 
said,  «all  the  wickedness  of  his  past  life  was  brought 
fresh  to  his  remembrance,  and  he  saw  all  the  vile  ac 
tions  be  bad  done  formerly,  as  if  done  but  yesterday.' 

44 1  found  one  that  had  newly  received  comfort, 
after  pressing  distress  from  day  to  day.  I  could  not 
but  admire  the  divine  goodness.  There  seemed  to  he 
some  good  done  by  every  discourse;  some  newly 
awakened  every  day,  and  some  comforted. 

"Lord's-day,  August  11.  1  discoursed  in  the  fore 
noon  from  the  parable  of  the  prodigal  son. 

'•In  the  afternoon  I  discoursed  upon  part  of  St. 
Peter's  sermon,  Acts  ii,  and  at  the  close  of  my  dis 
course  to  the  Indians,  made  an  address  to  the  'while 
people,  and  divine  truths  seemed  to  be  attended  with 
power  both  to  the  English  and  Indians.  Several  of 
the  white  heathen  were  awakened,  and  could  no 
longer  be  idle  spectators,  but  found  they  had  souls  to 
save  as  well  as  the  Indians,  and  a  great  concern 
spread  through  the  whole  assembly,  so  that  this  also 
appeared  to  be  a  day  of  God's  power. 


XIPE    OF   BBA1NE11D.  121 

««Tlic  number  of  Indians,  old  and  young,  was  now 
upwards  of  seventy,  and  one  or  two  were  newly 
awakened  this  day,  who  never  appeared  to  be  moved 
before. 

"Those  that  had  obtained  comfort,  and  had  given 
evidences  of  a  saving  change,  appeared  humble  and 
devout,  and  behaved  in  an  agreeable  and  Christian 
manner.  I  was  refreshed  to  see  the  tenderness  of 
conscience  manifest  in  some  of  them.  Perceiving 
one  of  them  very  sorrowful  in  the  morning,  1  in 
quired  into  the  cause  of  her  sorrow,  and  found  she 
had  been  angry  with  her  child  the  evening  before,  and 
was  in  fear  lest  her  anger  had  been  inordinate,  which 
so  grieved  her,  that  she  awaked  and  began  to  sob 
before  day-light,  and  continued  weeping  for  several 
hours  together. 

"August  14.  I  spent  the  day  with  the  Indians. 
There  Xvas  one  of  them  who  had  some  time  since  put 
away  his  wife  (as  is  common  among  them,)  and 
taken  another  woman,  and  being  now  brought  under 
some  serious  impressions,  was  earnestly  desirous  to 
know  what  God  would  have  him  to  do.  When  the 
law  of  God  respecting  marriage  had  been  opened  to 
them,  and  the  cause  of  his  leaving  his  wife  inquired 
into;  and  when  it  appeared  she  hud  given  him  no 
just  occasion  by  unchastity  to  desert  her,  and  that 
she  was  willing  to  forgive  his  past  misconduct,  he 
was  then  told  that  it  was  his  indispensable  duty  to 
renounce  the  woman  he  had  last  taken,  and  receive 
the  other  who  was  his  proper  wife,  with  which  he 
cheerfully  complied,  and  thereupon  publicly  rc-n  Min 
ced  the  woman  he  had  last  taken,  and  publicly 
promised  to  live  with  his  wife  during  life.  Ami 
there  appeared  a  clear  demonstration  of  the  power 
of  God's  word  upon  their  hearts.  A.  few  weeks  be 
fore,  the  whole  world  could  not  have  persuaded  him 
to  a  compliance  with  Christian  rules  in  this  affair. 

"August  15.  I  preached  from  Luke  iv,  16.  The 
word  was  attended  with  power  upon  the  hearts  of  the 
hearers.  There  was  much  concern,  many  tears,  and 
affecting  cries  among  them,  and  some  were  deeply 


LIFE    OF   BRAINE11D. 

wounded  and  distressed.  •  There  were  some  newly 
awakened,  who  came  but  this  week,  and  convictions 
seemed  to  be  promoted  in  others.  Those  that  had 
received  comfort,  were  likewise  refreshed  and 
strengthened,  and  the  work  of  grace  appeared  to  ad 
vance  in  all  respects. 

"16.  I  spent  a  considerable  time  in  conversing 
privately  with  sundry  of  the  Indians.  1  found  one 
that  had  got  comfort,  after  pressing  concern,  and 
could  not  but  hope,  when  I  discoursed  with  her  that 
her  comfort  was  of  the  right  kind. 

"In  the  afternoon  I  preached  from  John  vi,  26, 
34.  Toward  the  close  of  my  discourse,  divine 
truths  were  attended  with  considerable  power  upon 
the  audience,  and  more  especially  after  public  ser 
vice  was  over,  when  I  particularly  addressed  the  dis 
tressed  persons. 

"There  was  a  great  concern  for  their  souls  spread 
generally  among  them;  but  especially  there  were 
two  persons  newly  awakened  to  a  sense  of  their  sin, 
and  misery,  one  of  whom  was  lately  come,  and  the 
other  had  all  along  been  very  attentive,  and  desirous 
of  being  awakened,  but  could  never  before  have  any 
!ively  view  of  her  perishing  state.  But  now  her 
spiritual  distress  was  such,  that  I  had  never  seen  any 
more  pressing.  Sundry  old  men  were  also  in  dis 
tress  for  their  souls;  so  that  they  could  not  refrain 
from  weeping  and  crying  out  aloud;  and  their  bitter 
groans  were  the  most  convincing,  as  well  as  affecting 
evidence  of  the  depth  of  their  inward  anguish.  God 
is  powerfully  ar  work  among  them:  true  and  genuine 
convictions  of  sin  are  daily  promoted  in  many  in 
stances,  and  some  are  newly  awakened  from  time  to 
time. 

"17.  T  spent  much  time  in  private  conference 
with  the  Indians.  I  found  one  who  had  newly  ob 
tained  comfort,  after  a  long  season  of  spiritual  dis 
tress,  he  having  been  one  of  my  hearers  in  tiie  Forks 
of  Delaware  for  more  than  a  year,  and  now  followed 
me  hither  under  deep  concern:  and  1  had  abundant 
reason  to  hope  that  his  comfort  was  well  grounded. 


I/IFB    OF   BRAINEKD.  123 

<{ August  19.  I  rode  to  Freehold,  and  preached  to 
a  considerable  assembly,  from  Matt,  v,  3.  It  pleased 
God  to  leave  me  dry  and  barren;  but  he  has  made 
my  soul  acquiesce  in  his  will.  It  is  contrary  to  flesh 
and  blood,  to  be  cut  off  from  all  freedom  in  a  large 
auditory,  where  their  expectations  are  much  raised; 
but  so  it  was  with  me;  and  God  helped  me  to  say; 
<Good  is  the  will  of  the  Lord.' 

"23.  1  spent  some  time  with  the  Indians  in  pri 
vate  discourse;  afterwards  preached  to  them  from 
John  v'u  44 — 50.  There  was  a  gs-eat  attention  and 
some  affection  among  them.  Several  appeared 
deeply  concerned  for  their  souls,  and  could  not  but 
express  their  inward  anguish  by  tears  and  cries. 
But  the  amazing  influence  that  has  been  so  power 
fully  among  them,  seems,  at  present,  in  some  degree 
abated. 

"24.  I  spent  the  forenoon  in  discoursing  to  some 
of  the  Indians,  in  order  to  their  receiving  the  ordi 
nance  of  baptism.  When  I  had  opened  the  nature  of 
the  ordinance,  the  obligations  attending  it,  the  duty 
of  devoting  ourselves  to  God  in  it,  arid  the  privilege 
of  being  in  covenant  with  him,  sundry  of  them  seem 
ed  to  be  filled  with  love  to  God,  and  delighted  with 
the  thoughts  of  giving  up  themselves  to  him  in  that 
solemn  and  public  manner. 

"Afterwards  I  discoursed  publicly  from  1  Thcss. 
iv,  13—17.  There  was  a  solemn  attention  and  visi 
ble  concern  in  the  time  of  public  service,  which  was 
afterwards  increased  by  some  further  exhortation 
given  them  to  come  to  Christ  and  give  up  their  hearts 
to  him,  that  they  might  be  fitfe<l  to  'ascend  up  and 
meet  him  in  the  air,'  when  he  shall  'descend  with  a 
shout,  and  the  voice  of  the  archangel.' 

"There  were  several  Indians  newly  come,  who 
thought  their  state  good,  because  they  had  lived  with 
the  white  people  under  gospel  light,  although  they 
were  altogether  unacquainted  with  the  power  of  re 
ligion. 

"With  those  I  discoursed  particularly  after  public 
worship,  and  was  surprised  to  see  their  self-righteous 


124  LIFE    OF   BRAISTERIJ. 

disposition,  their  strong  attachment  to  the  covenant 
of  works,  and  the  higi,  value  they  put  upon  their  sup 
posed  attainments.  Yet  after  much  discourse,  one 
appeared  convinced,  that  cby  the  deeds  of  the  law  no 
flesh  living  should  be  justified,9  and  wept  bitterly,  in 
quiring,  'what  he  mu.vt  do  to  be  saved?* 

"LordVday,  August  25.  J  preached  in  the  fore 
noon  from  Luke  xv,  3 — 7.  There  being  a  multitude 
of  white  people  present,  I  made  an  address  to  them 
at  the  close  of  my  discourse:  but  could  not  so  much 
as  keep  them  orderly;  for  scores  of  them  kept  walk 
ing  and  gazing  about,  and  behaved  more  indecently 
than  any  Indians  I  ever  addressed, 

"Afterwards  1  baptized  twenty-five  persons  of  the 
Indians,  fifteen  adults,  and  ten  children.  Most  of 
the  adults  I  have  reason  to  hope  are  renewed  per 
sons:  only  the  case  of  two  or  three  appeared  more 
doubtful. 

"After  the  crowd  of  spectators  was  gone,  I  called 
the  baptized  persons  together,  and  discoursed  to  them 
in  particular,  minded  them  of  the  solemn  obligations, 
they  were  under  to  live  to  God,  and  encouraged  them 
to  watchfulness  and  devotion,  by  setting  before  them 
the  comfort  and  happy  conclusion  of  a  religious  life. 
This  was  a  sweet  season  indeed!  Their  hearts  were 
engaged  and  cheerful  in  duty,  and  they  rejoiced  that 
they  had  in  a  public  and  solemn  manner  dedicated 
themselves  to  God.  Love  seemed  to  reign  among 
them.  They  took  each  other  by  the  hand  with  ten 
derness  and  affection,  as  if  their  hearts  were  knit 
together,  while  I  was  discoursing  to  them;  and  all 
their  deportment  towards  each  other,  was  such  that 
a  serious  spectator  might  justly  be  excited  to  cry  out 
with  admiration,  'Behold  how  they  love  one  anoth 
er!9  Sundry  of  the  other  Indians  at  seeing  and 
hearing  these  tilings  were  much  affected  arid  wept 
bitterly,  longing  to  be  partakers  of  the  same  joy  and 
comfort  that  these  discovered  by  their  countenances 
as  well  as  conduct. 

<»26.  I  preached  to  my  people  from  John  vi,  51, 
55.  After  I  had  discoursed  some  time,  I  addressed 


LIFE    OF   BRAIffERD.  125 

those  in  particular  who  entertained  hopes  that  they 
were  'passed  from  death  to  life/  I  opened  to  them 
the  persevering  nature  of  those  consolations  Christ 
gives  his  people,  showed  them  that  such  have  already 
the  'beginnings  of  eternal  life,'  (ver.  54.)  and  that 
their  heaven  shall  he  speedily  completed. 

"I  no  sooner  began  to  discourse,  but  the  Christians 
in  the  congregation  began  to  be  melted  with  affec 
tion  to,  and  desire  of  the  enjoyment  of  Christ,  and 
of  a  state  of  perfect  purity.  They  wept  affection 
ately  and  yet  joyfully,  and  their  tears  and  sobs  dis 
covered  brokenness  of  heart,  and  yet  were  attended 
with  comfort  and  sweetness;  so  that  this  was  a  ten 
der,  affectionate,  humble,  delightful  melting,  and  ap 
peared  to  be  the  genuine  effect  of  the  Spirit  of  adop 
tion,  and  very  far  from  the  spirit  of  bondage  that 
they  before  labored  under.  The  influence  spread 
from  these  through  the  whole  assembly,  and  there 
quickly  appeared  a  wonderful  concern  among  them. 
Many,  who  had  not  yet  found  Christ,  were  surpris 
ingly  engaged  in  seeking  after  him.  Their  number 
was  now  about  ninety-five  persons,  and  almost  all 
affected  either  with  joy  in  Christ,  or  with  the  utmost 
concern  to  obtain  an  interest  in  him. 

"Being  convinced  it  was  now  my  duty  to  take  a 
journey  tar  back  to  the  Indians  on  Susquahannah 
river,  after  having  spent  some  hours  in  public  and 
private  discourses  with  my  people,  1  told  them  that 
I  must  leave  them  for  the  present,  and  go  to  their 
brethren  far  remote,  and  preach  to  them,  that  I 
wanted  the  Spirit  of  God  should  go  with  me,  with 
out  whom  nothing  could  be  done  to  any  good  pur 
pose,  as  they  themselves  had  an  opportunity  to  see: 
and  asked  them,  if  they  would  not  spend  the  remain 
der  of  the  day  in  prayer  for  me,  that  God  would  go 
with  me,  and  succeed  my  endeavors;  they  cheerfully 
complied  with  the  motion,  and  soon  after  I  left  them, 
(the  sun  being  then  about  one  hour  and  a  half  high,) 
they  began  and  continued  praying  all  night  until 
break  of  day,  never  mistrusting  (they  told  rne)  until 


126  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

they  went  out  and  saw  the  morning  star  a  consider 
able  height,  that  it  was  later  than  common  bed  time. 

''•There  were,  I  trusr,  this  day  two  distressed  souls 
brought  to  the  enjoyment  of  solid  comfort. 

"Likewise  this  day  an  old  Indian,  who  has  all  his 
days  been  an  obstinate  idolater,  was  brought  to  give 
lip  his  rattles  (which  they  use  for  music  in  their 
idolatrous  feasts  and  dances)  to  the  other  Indians, 
who  quickly  destroyed  them:  and  this  without  any 
attempt  of  mine  in  the  affair,  1  having  said  nothing 
to  him  about  it;  so  that  it  was  the  power  of  God's 
word,  without  any  particular  application  to  this  sin, 
that  produced  this  effect.  Thus  God  has  begun, 
thus  he  has  hitherto  carried  on  a  work  of  grace 
amongst  these  Indians.  May  the  glory  be  ascribed 
to  him  who  is  the  »oJe  author  of  it.*' 

The  next  day  f^c  set  out  on  a  journey  towards  the 
Forks  of  Delaware,  designing  to  go  from  hence  to 
Susquahannah,  before  he  returned  to  Crosweeksung; 
it  was  five  days  from  his  departure  from  Crosweek- 
sung,  before  he  reached  the  Forks,  going  round  by 
the  way  of  Philadelphia,  and  waiting  on  the  gover 
nor  of  Pennsylvania,  to  get  a  recommendation  from 
him  to  the  chiefs  of  the  Indians. 

FORKS    OF   DELAWARE. 

"Lord's-day,  Sept.  1.  I  preached  to  the  Indians 
here,  from  Luke  xiv,  16 — 23.  Afterwards  1  preach 
ed  to  a  number  of  white  people,  and  observed  many 
of  them  in  tears,  and  some  who  had  been  formerly 
as  careless  and  unconcerned  about  religion  as  the 
Indians. 

"Towards  night  I  discoursed  to  the  Indians  again, 
and  perceived  a  great  attention,  and  more  visible 
concern  among  them,  than  has  been  usual  in  these 
parts. 

"3.  I  preached  to  the  Indians  from  Isaiah  liii, 
3 — 6.  The  divine  presence  was  in  the  midst  of  the 
assembly,  and  a  considerable  concern  spread  among 


LIFE    OF  ERAINERD.  127 

them.  Sundry  persons  were  awakened,  among 
whom  were  two  stupid  creatures,  that  1  could  scarce 
ever  before  keep  awake  while  1*  was  discoursing  to 
them. 

"4.  I  rode  15  miles  to  an  Irish  settlement,  and 
preached  there,  from  Luke  xiv,  22,  "And  yet  there 
is  room."  God  was  pleased  to  afford  me  some  ten 
derness  and  enlargement  in  the  first  prayer,  and 
much  freedom, 4as  well  as  warmth,  in  the  sermon. 
There  were  maiiy  tears  in  the  assembly:  the  people 
of  God  seemed  to  melt,  and  others  to  be  in  some 
measure  awakened.  Blessed  be  the  Lordy  that  lets 
me  see  his  work  going  on  in  one  place  and  another. 

«5.  I  discoursed  to  the  Indians  from  the  parable 
of  the  sower,  arid  afterwards  conversed  with  sundry 
persons,  which  occasioned  them  to  weep,  and  even 
to  cry  out  in  an  affecting  manner,  and  seized  others 
with  surprise  and  concern.  Several  of  these  had 
been  with  me  to  I'rosweeksung,  and  some  of  them 
felt  the  power  of  God's  word.  I  asked  one  of  them 
why  he  now  cried;  he  replied,  **When  he  thought 
how  Christ  was  slain  like  a  lamb,  and  spilt  his  blood 
for  sinners,  he  could  not  help  crying;"  and  thereup 
on  burst  out  into  tears  and  cries  ap;ain.  I  then  ask 
ed  his  wife,  who  likewise  had  been  abundantly  com 
forted,  wherefore  she  cried?  She  answered,  <She 
was  grieved  that  the  Indians  here  would  not  come 
to  Christ,  as  well  as  those  at  Croswceksung,'  I 
asked  her  if  she  found  a  heart  to  pray  for  them,  and 
whether  Christ  had  been  near  to  her  of  late  in  prayer, 
as  in  time  past?  (which  is  my  usual  method  of  ex 
pressing  a  sense  of  the  divine  presence.)  She  replied, 
4Yes,  he  had  been  near  to  her;  and  that  at  some 
times  when  she  had  been  praying  alone,  her  heart 
loved  to  pray  so,  that  she  could  not  bear  to  leave  the 
place,  but  wanted,  to  stay  and  pray  longer. 

"Lord's-day,  8.  I  discoursed  to  the  Indians  in  the 
forenoon  from  John  xii,  44 — 50;  in  the  afternoon 
from  Acts  ii,  36 — 39.  The  word  of  God  seemed  to 
fall  with  weight  and  influence  upon  them.  Most  of 
them  were  in  tears,  and  cried  out  uader  distressing 


128  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

©oncern  for  their  souls.  One  man  was  awakened, 
\vho  never  before  discovered  any  concern  for  his  soul. 
There  appeared  a  remarkable  work  of  the  Spirit 
among  them,  not  unlike  what  has  been  of  late  at 
Crosweeksung.  It  seemed  as  if  (he  Divine  influence 
had  spread  from  thence  to  this  place. 

"Sundry  of  the  careless  white  people  now  present, 
were  startled,  seeing  the  power  of  God  so  prevalent 
among  the  Indians.  I  then  made  a  particular  address 
to  them,  which  seemed  to  make  some  impression  upon 
them. 

"In  the  evening  God  was  pleased  to  enlarge  me  in 
prayer,  and  gave  me  freedom  at  the  throne  of  grace: 
I  cried  to  God  for  the  enlargement  of  his  kingdom 
in  the  world,  and  particularly  among  my  dear  peo 
ple:  and  was  enabled  to  pray  for  many  dear  minis 
ters  of  my  acquaintance,  both  in  these  parts,  and  in 
New  England.  My  soul  was  so  engaged  in  that 
sweet  exercise,  that  1  knew  not  how  to  leave  the  mer 
cy-seat.  I  saw  God  was  both  able  and  willing  to 
do  all  that  I  desired,  for  myself  and  friends,  and  his 
church  in  general.  And  afterwards,  when  I  was 
just  going  to  bed,  God  helped  me  to  renew  my  peti 
tions  with  ardency  and  freedom. 

"Sept.  9.  I  left  the  Indians  in  the  Forks  of  Dela 
ware,  and  set  out  on  a  journey  towards  Susquahan- 
nah  river,  directing  my  course  towards  the  Indian 
town  more  than  120  miles  westward  from  the  Forks. 

"13.  After  having  lodged  out  three  nights,  I  ar 
rived  at  the  Indian  town  on  Susquahannah,  called 
Shaumoking,  (one  of  the  places  I  visited  in  May  last,) 
and  was  kindly  received  by  the  Indians;  but  had  lit 
tle  satisfaction  by  reason  of  the  heathenish  dance 
they  then  held  in  the  house  where  I  was  obliged  to 
lodge,  which  I  could  not  suppress,  though  I  often  in- 
treated  them  to  desist,  for  the  sake  of  one  of  their 
own  friends  who  was  sick  in  the  house. 

"This  town  lies  partly  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  partly  on  the  west,  and  partly  on  a  large  island 
in  it,  and  contains  upwards  of  fifty  houses,  and  near 
three  hundred  persons:  but  of  three  different  tribes 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

of  Indians,  speaking  three  languages  wholly  unintel 
ligible  to  each  other.  About  one  half  of  its  inhabit 
ants  are  Delawares,  the  others  called  Senekas,  and 
Tutelas.  The  Indians  of  this  place  are  counted  the 
most  drunken,  mischievous,  and  ruffianly  fellows  of 
any  in  these  parts;  and  saian  seems  to  have  his  seat 
in  this  town  in  an  eminent  manner. 

"Sept.  14.  I  visited  the  Delaware  king,  (who  was 
supposed  to  be  at  the  point  of  death  when  I  was  here 
in  May  last;  hut  was  now  recovered,)  and  discoursed 
with  him  and  others  respecting  Christianity,  and 
spent  the  afternoon  with  them  and  had  more  encour 
agement  than  1  expected.  The  king  appeared  kindly 
disposed,  and  willing  to  he  instructed;  this  gave  me 
some  encouragement  that  God  would  open  an  effect 
ual  door  for  my  preaching  the  Gospel  here.  This 
was  a  refreshment  to  me  in  the  wilderness,  and  ren 
dered  my  solitary  circumstances  comfortable  and 
pleasant. 

In  the  evening  my  soul  was  enlarged  in  prayer, 
especially,  that  God  would  set  up  his  kingdom,  in 
this  place,  where  the  devil  now  reigns.  My  soul  cri 
ed,  <Lord,  set  up  thy  kingdom,  for  thine  own  glory. 
Glorify  thyself:  and  I  shall  rejoice.  Get  honor  to 
thy  blessed  name;  and  this  is  all  I  desire.  Do  with 
me  just  what  thou  wilt.  Blessed  be  thy  name  for 
ever,  that  thou  art  God,  and  that  thou  wilt  glorify 
thyself.  O  that  the  whole  world  might  glorify  thee! 
O  let  these  poor  people  be  brought  to  know  thee,  and 
love  thee,  for  the  glory  of  thy  ever-blessed  name!' 

"Lord's-day,  Sept.  15.  I  visited  the  chief  of  the 
Delawares  again;  and  discoursed  to  the  Indians  in 
the  afternoon.  I  hoped  that  God  would  open  their 
hearts  to  receive  the  Gospel,  though  many  of  them  in 
the  place  were  so  drunk  from  day  to  day,  that  I  could 
get  no  opportunity  to  speak  to  them. 

"•Sept.  16.  I  spent  the  forenoon  with  the  Indians, 
endeavoring  to  instruct  them  from  house  to  house, 
and  to  engage  them  to  be  friendly  to  Christianity. 


ISO  XIFE    OF   BRAINEKD. 

"Towards  night  I  went  to  a  part  of  the  town 
where  they  were  sober,  and  got  together  near  fifty 
persons,  There  was  a  surprising  attention  among 
them,  and  they  manifested  a  desire  of  being  further 
instructed.  There  was  also  one  or  two  that  seemed 
to  be  touched,  who  appeared  pleased  with  some  con 
versation  in  private,  after  I  had  concluded  my  pub 
lic  discourse. 

"My  spirit  was  much  refreshed,  and  I  could  not 
but  return  with  my  interpreter,  (having  no  other 
companion  in  this  journey,)  to  my  poor  hard  lodg 
ings,  rejoicing  in  hopes  that  God  designed  to  set  up 
his  kingdom  here,  and  found  uncommon  freedom  in 
addressing  the  throne  of  grace  for  the  accomplish 
ment  of  so  glorious  work. 

"17.  I  spent  the  forenoon  in  discoursing  to  the  In 
dians.  About  noon  t  left  Shaumoking,  (most  of  the 
Indians  going  out  this  day  to  hunt,)  and  travelled 
down  the  river  south-westward. 

"19.  I  visited  an  Indian  town  called  Juneautn,  sit 
uated  on  an  island  in  Susquahannah.  I  was  much 
discouraged  with  the  behavior  of  the  Indians  here, 
although  they  appeared  friendly  when  I  was  with 
them  last  spring;  yet  they  now  seemed  resolved  to 
retain  their  pagan  notions,  and  persist  in  their  idol 
atrous  practices. 

"20.  I  visited  the  Indians  again  at  Juneauta  isl 
and,  and  found  them  busy  in  making  preparations 
for  a  great  sacrifice  and  dance.  So  I  had  no  oppor 
tunity  to  get  them  together  in  order  to  discourse  with 
them  about  Christianity.  My  spirits  were  much 
sunk,  especially  as  I  had  now  no  interpreter  but  a 
pagan,  who  was  as  much  attached  to  idolatry  as  any 
of  them:  so  that  I  was  under  the  greatest  disadvan 
tages  imaginable.  However,  I  attempted  to  discourse 
privately  with  some  of  them  but  without  any  appear 
ance  of  success. 

"In  the  evening  they  met  together,  near  an  hun 
dred  of  them,  and  danced  around  a  large  fire,  hav 
ing  prepared  ten  fat  deer  for  the  sacrifice.  The  fat  of 
whose  inwards  they  burnt  in  the  fire  while  they  were 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  131 

dancing,  and  at  some  times  raised  the  flame  to  a  pro 
digious  height,  at  the  same  time  yelling  and  shout 
ing  in  such  a  manner  that  they  might  have  heen 
heard  two  miles  or  more.  They  continued  their  sa 
cred  dance  all  night;  after  which  they  eat  tlwjlesh  of 
the  sacrifice,  and  retired  each  to  his  lodging. 

"I  enjoyed  little  satisfaction  this  night,  being  en 
tirely  alone  on  the  island,  (as  to  any  Christian  com 
pany,)  and  in  the  midst  of  this  idolatrous  revel;  and 
having  walked  to  and  fro  till  body  and  mind  were 
much  oppressed,  1  at  length  crept  into  a  little  crib 
made  for  corn,  and  there  slept  on  the  poles. 

"Lord's-day,  Sept.  21.  1  spent  the  day  with  the 
Indians  on  the  island.  As  soon  as  they  were  up  in 
the  morning,  I  attempted  to  instruct  them,  and  la 
bored  to  get  them  together,  but  quickly  found  they 
had  something  else  to  do;  for  they  gathered  together 
all  their  powwows  (or  conjurers,)  and  set  about  half 
a  dozen  of  them  to  playing  their  tricks,  and  acting 
their  frantic  postures,  in  order  to  find  out  why 
they  were  so  sickly,  numbers  of  them  being  at  that 
time  disordered  with  a  fever,  and  bloody  flux.  Jn 
this  they  were  engaged  for  several  hours,  making  all 
the  wild  distracted  motions  imaginable;  sometimes 
singing;  sometimes  howling;  sometimes  extending 
their  hands  to  the  utmost  stretch,  spreading  all  their 
fingers,  and  seemed  to  push  with  them,  as  if  they 
designed  to  fright  something  away,  or  at  least  keep 
it  off  at  arms  end;  sometimes  stroking  their  faces 
with  their  hands,  then  spurting  water  as  fine  as  mist; 
sometimes  sitting  flat  on  the  earth,  then  bowing  down 
their  faces  to  the  ground:  wringing  their  sides,  as  if 
in  pain  and  anguish:  twisting  their  faces,  turning  up 
their  eyes,  grunting,  or  puffing. 

"Their  monstrous  actions  seemed  to  have  some- 
tiling  in  them  peculiarly  suited  to  raise  the  devil,  if 
he  could  be  raised  by  any  thing  odd  arid  frightful. 
Some  of  them  were  much  more  fervent  in  the  busi 
ness  than  others,  and  seemed  to  chant,  peep,  and 
mutter  with  a  great  degree  of  warmth  and  vigor;  I 
sat  about  thirty  feet  from  them  (though  undiscover- 


j  32  XIFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

e<!)  with  my  Bible  in  my  ham!,  resolving,  if  possible, 
to  spoil  their  sport,  and  prevent  their  receiving  any 
answers  from  the  infernal  world.  They  continued 
their  hideous  charms  for  more  than  three  hours,  un 
til  they  had  all  wearied  themselves  out,  although 
they  had  taken  sundry  intervals  of  rest,  and  at 
length  broke  up,  I  apprehend,  without  receiving  any 
answer. 

"After  they  had  done  powwowing,  I  attempted  to 
discourse  with  them  about  Christianity;  hut  they 
soon  scattered,  and  gave  no  opportunity.  A  view  of 
these  things,  while  1  was  entirely  alone  in  the  wil 
derness,  destitute  of  the  society  of  any  one  that  so 
much  as  'named  the  name  of  Christ,'  greatly  sunk 
my  spirits,  so  that  I  had  no  heart  nor  power  to  make 
any  further  attempts  among  them. 

"The  Indians  of  this  island  many  of  them  under 
stand  the  English  language,  having  formerly  lived 
in  Maryland  near  the  white  people,  hut  are  very 
Yicious,  drunken,  and  profane,  although  not  so  sav 
age  as  those  who  have  less  acquaintance  with  the 
.English.  Their  method  of  charming  or  conjuring 
over  the  sick,  seems  somewhat  different  from  that  of 
other  Indians;  and  the  whole  of  it  perhaps  is  an  in 
timation  of  what  seems,  by  Naaman's  expression,  2 
lungs  v,  11,  to  have  been  the  custom  of  the  ancient 
heathens.  For  it  chiefly  consists  in  their  'striking 
their  hands  over  the  diseased,'  repeatedly  stroking 
of  them,  <and  calling  upon  their  gods,'  excepting 
their  spurting  of  water,  and  some  other  frantic  cer 
emonies  common  to  the  other  conjurations. 

"When  I  was  in  these  parts  in  May  last,  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  learning  many  of  the  customs  of  the 
Indians:  1  then  travelling  ISO  miles  upon  the  river 
above  the  English  settlements:  and  had  in  that  jour- 
no,  v  a  view  of  persons  of  seven  or  eight  distinct 
tribes;  speaking  so  many  different  languages.  But 
of  all  the  sights  1  ever  saw  among  them,  none  ap 
peared  so  near  a-kin  to  what  is  usually  imagined  of 
infernal  powers,  as  the  appearance  of  one  who  was 
a  devout  and  zealous  reformer  or  rather  restorer,  ol 


JLIFE    OF   BRAINBRD.  133 

what  he  supposed  was  the  ancient  religion  of  the  In 
dians.  He  made  his  appearance  in  his  pontifical 
garb,  which  was  a  coat  of  bear-skins,  dressed  with 
the  hair  on,  and  hanging  down  to  his  toes,  a  pair  of 
bear-skin  stockings,  and  a  great  wooden  face,  paint- 
ed  the  one  half  black,  and  the  other  tawny,  about 
the  color  of  an  Indian's  skin,  with  an  extravagant 
mouth,  cut  very  much  awry:  the  face  fastened  to  a 
bear-skin  cap,  which  was  drawn  over  his  head.  He 
advanced  toward  me  with  the  instrument  in  his 
hand  that  he  used  for  music  in  his  idolatrous  worship, 
which  was  a  dry  tortoise-shell,  with  some  corn  in  il9 
and  the  neck  of  it  drawn  on  a  piece  of  wood,  which 
made  a  very  convenient  handle.  As  he  came  for 
ward,  he  beat  his  tune  with  the  rattle,  and  danced 
with  all  his  might,  but  did  not  suffer  any  part  of  his 
body,  not  so  much  as  his  fingers,  to  be  seen;  and  no 
man  would  have  guessed  by  his  appearance,  that  he 
could  have  been  a  human  creature.  When  he  came 
near  me,  I  could  not  but  shrink  away  from  him,  al 
though  it  was  then  noon-day,  and  1  knew  who  it  wasv 
his  appearance  and  gestures  were  so  frightful.  He 
had  a  house  consecrated  to  religious  uses;  with  di 
vers  images  cut  out  upon  the  several  parts  of  it:  I 
went  in,  and  found  the  ground  beat  almost  as  hard 
as  a  rock  with  their  frequent  dancing.  1  discoursed 
with  him  about  Christianity;  and  some  of  my  dis* 
course  he  seemed  to  like,  but  some  of  it  he 'disliked 
entirely.  He  told  me,  that  God  had  taught  him  his 
religion,  and  that  he  never  would  turn  from  it,  but 
wanted  to  find  some  that  would  join  heartily  with 
him  in  it;  for  the  Indians,  he  said,  were  grown  very 
degenerate.  He  had  thoughts  of  leaving  all  his 
friends,  and  travelling  abroad  in  order  to  find  some 
that  would  join  with  him;  for  he  believed  God  had 
some  good  people  somewhere,  that  felt  as  he  did.  He 
had  not  always,  he  said,  felt  as  he  now  did,  but  had 
formerly  been  like  the  rest  of  the  Indians,  until  four 
or  five  years  ago;  then,  he  said,  his  heart  was  very 
much  distressed,  so  that  he  could  not  live  among  the 
Indians,  but  got  away  into  the  woods,  and  lived 
#12 


134  ilFE    OF  BRAINEUB, 

alone  for  some  months.     At  length,  he  says,  God 
showed  him  what  he  should  do:    and  since  that  time 
lie  has  known   G-od,  and  tried  to  serve  him;  and 
loved   all  men,  he  the}  who   they  would,  so  as  he 
never  did  before.     He  treated  me  with  uncommon 
courtesy,  and  seemed  to  b<  hearty  in  it.     1  was  told 
by  the  Indians,  that  he  opposed  their  drinking  strong 
liquors  \vith   all  his  power;   and  if  at  any  time  he 
could  not  persuade  them  from  it,  he  would  leave 
them  and  go  crying  into  the  woods.  It  was  manifest 
he  had  a  set  of  religious  notions  that  he  had  looked 
into/or  himself,  and  not  taken  for  granted  upon  hare 
tradition;    and  he  relished  or  disrelished  whatever 
was  spoken  of  a  religious  nature,  according  as  it 
either  agreed,  or  disagreed  with  his  standard.  While 
I  was  discoursing,  he  would  sometimes  say,  «Now, 
that  I  like:  so  God  has  taught  me.'     And  some  of 
his  sentiments  seemed  Very  just.      Yet  he  utterly 
denied  the  being  of  a  devil,  and  declared  there  was 
no  such  a  creature  known  among  the  Indians  of  old 
times.     He  likewise  told  me,  that  departed  souls  all 
went  southward;  and  that  the  difference  between  the 
good  and  bad  was  this;  that  the  former  were  ad 
mitted  into  a  beautiful  town  with  spiritual  walls,  or 
walls  agreeable  to  the  nature  of  souls;  and  that  the 
latter  would  for  ever  hover  round  those  walls,  and 
in  vain  attempt  to  get  in.     He  seemed  to  be  sincere, 
honest,  and  conscientious  in  his  own  way,  which  was 
more  than  ever  1  saw  in  any  other  pagan:  and  1  per 
ceived   he  was  looked  upon,  and  derided  amongst 
most  of  the  Indians  as  a  precise  zealot.     I  must  say, 
there  was  something  in  his  temper  that  looked  more 
like  true  religion  than  any  thing  I  ever  observed 
among  other  heathen. 

"Sept.  S2.  I  made  some  further  attempts  to  in 
struct  the  Indians  on  this  island,  but  all  to  no  pur 
pose.  They  live  so  near  the  white  people,  that  they 
are  always  in  the  way  of  strong  liquor,  as  well  as  the 
ill  examples  of  nominal  Christians,  which  renders  it 
unspeakably  difficult  to  treat  with  them  about  Chris 
tianity." 


MFE  OF  BRAINEIID.  135 

Next  day  he  left  the  Indians,  in  order  to  his  re 
turn  to  the  Forks  of  Delaware,  in  a  very  weak  state 
of  body,  and  under  dejection  of  mind,  which  continu 
ed  the  two  first  days  of  his  journey. 

"Sept.  26.  1  was  still  mud)  disorder^  in  body 
and  able  to  ride  but  slowly,  i  continued  my  journey 
however.  Near  night  I  arrived  at  the  Irish  settle 
ment,  about  fifteen  miles  from  my  own  house.  I 
was  much  exercised  With  a  sense  of  my  barrenness, 
and  verify  thought  there  was  no  creature  that  had 
any  true  grace,  but  what  was  more  spiritual  and 
fruitful  irnui  i:  I  could  not  think  that  any  of  God's 
chiiureii  made  so  poor  a  hand  of  living  to  God  as  1.'* 

FOEKS    OF   DELAWARE. 

"October  1.  J  discoursed  to  the  Indians  here 
and  afterwards  invited  them  to  accompany,  or  to 
follow  me,  down  to  Crosweeksung,  as  soon  as  their 
conveniency  would  admit;  which  invitation  sundry 
of  them  cheerfully  accepted. 

"5.  I  preached  to  my  people  at  Crosweeksung, 
from  John  xiv,  l — 6.  The  divine  presence  seemed 
to  be  in  the  assembly.  Numbers  were  affected,  and 
some  comforted. 

"O  what  a  difference  is  there  between  these  and 
the  Indians  upon  Susquahannah!  To  be  with  those 
seemed  like  being  banished  from  God,  and  all  his 
people;  to  be  with  these,  like  being  admitted  into  his 
family,  and  to  the  enjoyment  of  his  presence!  How 
great  is  the  change  lately  made  upon  these  Indians, 
who,  not  many  months  ago,  were  as  thoughtless  and 
averse  to  Christianity,  as  those  upon  Susquahannah! 

"Lord's-day,  Oct.  6.  I  preached  in  the  forenoon, 
from  John  x,  7 — 11.  There  was  a  considerable 
melting  among  my  people;  the  young  Christians 
were  comforted  and  strengthened,  and  one  or  two 
persons  newly  awakened. 

"In  the  afternoon,  1  discoursed  on  the  story  of  the 
jailor,  Acts  xvi;  and  in  the  evening,  expounded  Acts 
xx,  1 — 12.  There  was,  at  this  time  a  melting 


136  1IFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

through  the  whole  assembly.  There  was  scarce  a. 
dry  eye  to  he  seen  among  them,  and  nothing  but 
what  tended  to  encourage  and  excite  a,  Christian  ar 
dor  and  sj  irit  of  devotion. 

*4Attct  public  service  1  withdrew,  and  the  Indians 
continued  praying  among  themselves  for  near  two 
hours  together;  which  exercises  appeaivd  to  be  at 
tended  with  a  blessed  influence  from  on  high. 

«'i  could  not  but  earnestly  wish  that  numbers  of 
God's  people  had  been  present  at  this  season  to  see 
and  hear  these  things,  which  1  am  sure  must  refresh 
the  heart  of  every  true  lover  of  Zion.  To  sec  those, 
who  very  lately  were  savage  Pagans,  and  idolaters, 
'having  no  hope,  and  without  God  in  the/world,'  now 
filled  with  a  sense  of  divine  love  and  grace,  and 
worshipping  the  'Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth,'  was 
not  a  liitle  affecting;  and  especially  to  see  them  so 
tender  and  humble,  as  well  as  lively,  fervent,  and  de 
vout. 

<47.  Being  called  by  the  church  and  people  of 
East  Hampton,  on  Long  Island,  as  a  member  of  a 
council,  to  assist  and  advise  in  affairs  of  difficulty  in 
that  church,  1  sat  out  on  my  journey  this  morning, 
before  it  was  well  light,  and  travelled  to  Elizabeth- 
town/' 

He  prosecuted  his  journey  with  the  other  minis 
ters  that  were  sent  for,  and  did  not  return  till  Octo- 
ber  24. 

"24.  I  discoursed  from  John  iv,  13,  14.  There 
was  a  great  attention,  and  an  unaffected  melting  in 
the  assembly.  It  is  surprising  to  see  how  eager 
they  are  of  hearing  the  word  of  God.  I  have  often 
thought  they  would  cheerfully  attend  divine  worship 
twenty-four  hours  together. 

"25.  1  discoursed  to  my  people  on  the  resurrec 
tion,  from  Luke  xx,  27 — 36.  And  when  I  came  to 
mention  the  blessedness  the  good  shall  enjoy  at  that 
season;  their  final  freedom  from  death  and  sorrow; 
their  equality  to  the  angels,  in  regard  of  their  near 
ness  to,  and  enjoyment  of  Christ;  and  their  being 
the  children  of  God,  openly  acknowledged  by  him  as 


LIFE    0^   BRAINERD.  157 

such:  1  say  when  I  mentioned  these  things,  numbers 
of  them  were  much  affected  and  melted  with  a  view 
of  this  blessed  state. 

"26.  Being  called  to  assist  in  the  administration 
of  the  Lord's  supper,  in  a  neighboring  congregation. 
1  invited  my  people  to  go  with  me,  who  embraced 
the  opportunity  cheerfully,  and  attended  the  dis 
courses  of  that  solemnity  with  diligence  and  affection, 
most  of  them  now  understanding  something  of  the 
English  language. 

"Lord's-day,  Oct.  27.  While  1  was  preaching  to 
a  vast  assembly  of  people  abroad,  who  appeared  gen 
erally  easy  and  secure  enough;  there  was  one  Indian 
woman  a  stranger,  who  never  heard  me  preach  be 
fore,  nor  ever  regarded  any  thingaboutreligion  (being 
now  persuaded  by  some  of  her  friends  to  come  though 
much  against  her  will,)  was  seized  with  a  pressing  con 
cern  for  her  soul,  and  soon  after  expressed  a  great  de 
sire  of  going  home  (more  than  forty  miles  distant,)  to 
call  her  husband,  that  he  also  might  have  a  concern 
for  his  soul.  Some  other  of  the  Indians  also  appear 
ed  to  be  affected  with  divine  truths  this  day. 

«'The  pious  people  of  the  English  (numbers  of 
whom  1  had  an  opportunity  to  converse  with)  seemed 
refreshed  with  seeing  the  Indians  worship  God  in 
that  devout  and  solemn  manner,  anil  could  not  but 
glorify  God,  saying,  'Then  hath  'fcod  also  to  the 
Gentiles  granted  repentance  unto  life.' 

"28.  1  discoursed  from- Matt,  xxii,  1 — 13,  I  was 
enabled  to  adapt  my  discourse  to  the  capacities  of  my 
people,  I  now  not  how,  in  a  plain,  easy,  and  familiar 
manner,  beyond  all  that  I  could  have  dune  by  the  ut 
most  study;  and  this  with,  as  much  freedom  as  if  1 
had  been  addressing  a  common  audience,  who  had 
been  instructed  in  Christianity  ail  their  days. 

"The  word  of  God,  at  this  time,  seemed  to  fall  up 
on  the  assembly  with  a  Divine  power,  especially  to 
ward  the  close  of  my  discourse:  there  was  both  a 
sweet  melting  and  bitter  mourning  in  the  audience. 
The  Christians  were  refreshed  and  comforted,  con 
victions  revived  in  others*  and  sundry  persons  newly 


138  1IFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

awakened,  who  had  never  been  with  us  before;  and 
so  much  of  the  Divine  presence  appeared  in  the  as 
sembly,  that  it  seemed  <this  was  no  other  than  the 
gale  of  heaven.7  All  that  had  any  relish  of  Divine 
things  were  even  constrained  to  say,  lLord,  it  is  good 
for  us  to  be  here!'  if  ever  there  was  among  my  peo 
ple  an  appearance  of  the  New  Jerusalem,  *as  a  bride 
adorned  for  her  husband/  there  was  at  this  time. 
And  so  agreeable  was  the  entertainment,  that  I  could 
scarcely  tell  how  to  leave  the  place. 

"LordVday,  Nov.  3.  1  baptized  fourteen  Indians^ 
six  adults  and  eight  children:  one  of  these  was  near 
fourscore  years  of  age,  and  I  have  reason  to  hope, 
God  has  brought  her  home  to  himself:  two  of  the 
others  \\ere  men  of  filty  years  old,  who  had  been 
singular  even  among  the  Indians,  for  their  wicked 
ness:  one  of  them  had  been  a  murderer,  and  both 
notorious  drunkards,  as  well  as  excessive  quarrel 
some:  but  now  1  cannot  but  hope  both  are  really 
changed.  1  deferred  their  baptism  for  many  weeks, 
that  1  might  have  more  opportunities  to  observe  the 
fruits  of  those  impressions  they  had  been  under.  In 
deed  there  was  riot  one  of  the  adults  but  had  given 
me  grounds  to  hope  that  God  had  wrought  a  good 
work  in  their  hearts. 

"4..  There  were  sundry  of  the  persons  lately 
come  from  remoter  places,  that  were  now  brought  un 
der  deep  concern  for  their  souls;  particularly  one, 
who,  not  long  since,  came  half  drunk,  and  railed  on 
us,  and  attempted  to  disturb  us  while  engaged  in 
Divine  worship,  was  so  distressed,  that  she  seemed 
unable  to  get  any  ease  without  an  interest  in  Christ. 
There  were  many  tears,  and  affectionate  groans  in 
the  assembly  in  general;  some  weeping  for  them 
selves,  others  for  their  friends.  And  though  persons 
are  doubtless  much  easier  affected  now  than  they 
were  in  the  beginning,  to  this  religious  concern, 
when  tears  and  cries  tor  their  souls  were  things  un 
heard  of  among  them;  yet  their  affection  in  general 
appeared  genuine  and  unfeigned,  and  especially  in 
those  newly  awakened. 


iLIFE   OF  BRAINERD.  139 

"I  baptized  a  child  this  day,  and  perceived  several 
of  the  baptized  persons  affected,  as  being,  thereby 
reminded  of  their  own  solemn  engagements. 

"I  have  now  baptized  forty  seven  persons  of  the 
Indians,  twenty-three  adults,  and  twenty -four  chil 
dren;  thirty-five  of  them  belonging  to  these  parts, 
and  the  rest  to  the  Forks  of  Delaware:  they  have 
none  of  them,  as  yet,  been  a  disgrace  to  their  pro 
fession  by  any  unbecoming  behavior. 

"Before  1  proceed,  1  would  make  a  few  remarks. 

"And,  first,  [t  is  remarkable  that  God  began  this 
work  among  the  Indians  at  a  timf  when  1  had  the 
least  prospect  of  seeing  a  work  of  grace  among 
them.  My  bodily  strength  being  then  much  wasted 
by  a  tedious  journey  to  Susquahannah,  my  mind  ex 
ceedingly  depressed  with  a  view  of  the  unseasona- 
bleness  of  my  labors,  had  little  reason  to  hope  that 
God  lusd  made  me  instrumental  of  the  saving  con 
version  of  any  of  the  Indians,  win  nee  I  was  ready 
to  look  upon  myself  as  a  burden  to  the  society  that 
employed  me  in  this  business.  I  began  to  entertain 
serious  thoughts  of  giving  up  my  mission,  and 
almost  resolved  I  would  do  so  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  present  year,  if  I  had  then  no  better  prospect  in 
my  work  than  I  had  hitherto  had. 

"Jn  this  frame  of  mind  I  first  visited  these  In 
dians  at  Crosweeksung,  apprehending  it  was  my 
duty  to  make  some  attempts  for  their  Conversion, 
though  I  cannot  say  1  had  any  hopes  of  success,  my 
spirits  were  now  so  extremely  sunk. 

"And  yet  this  was  the  very  season  that  God  saw 
lit  to  begin  this  glorious  work  in!  And  thus  he  'or 
dained  strength  out  of  weakness/  by  making  bare  his 
almighty  arm  at  a  time  when  all  hopes  and  human 
probabilities  most  evidently  failed.  'Whence  I  learn 
that  it  is  good  to  follow  the  path  of  duty,  though  in 
the  midst  of  darkness  and  discouragement.' 

"Secondly,  It  is  remarkable  how  God,  in  a  man 
ner  almost  unaccountable,  called  these  Indians  to 
gether  to  be  instructed,  and  how  he  seized  their 
.minds  with  the  most  solemn  concern  as  fast  as  they 


140  LIFE    0¥  BIIAIXERD. 

came  to  the  place  where  his  word  was  preached. 
When  i  first  came  to  these  parts,  1  found  not  one 
man  at  the  place  i  visited*  but  only  four  women  and 
a  lew  children:  but  before  i  had  been  here  many 
days,  they  gathered  from  all  quarters,  some  from 
more  than  twenty  miles  distant:  and  when  1  made 
them  a  scco-nd  visit,  some  came  more  than  forty 
miles  to  hear  me. 

<*And  many  came  without  any  intelligence  of 
what  was  going  on  here,  and  consequently  without 
any  design,  so  much  as  to  gratify  their  curiosity;  so 
that  it  seemed  as  if  God  had  summoned  them  togeth 
er  from  all  quarters  to  deliver  his  message  to  them. 
"Nor  is  it  less  surprising  that  they  were,  one 
after  another  affected  with  a  solemn  concern  for 
their  souls  almost  as  soon  as  they  came  upon  the 
spot  where  divine  truths  were  taught  them.  1  could 
not  but  think  their  coming  to  this  place  was  like 
Saul  and  his  messengers  coming  among  the  proph 
ets;  and  they  no  sooner  came  but  they  prophesied: 
and  these  were  almost  as  soon  affected  with  a  sense 
of  their  sin  and  misery,  and  with  an  earnest  concern 
for  deliverance,  as  they  made  their  appearance  in 
our  assembly.  After  this  work  of  grace  began  with 
power  among  them,  it  wras  common  for  strangers  of 
the  Indians,  before  they  had  been  with  us  one  day, 
to  be  deeply  convinced  of  their  sin  and  misery,  and 
to  inquire  with  great  solicitude, 'What  they  should  do 
to  be  saved?' 

"Thirdly:  It  is  likewise  remarkable  how  God 
preserved  these  poor  ignorant  Indians  from  being 
prejudiced  against  me,  and  the  truths  I  taught  them. 
There  were  many  attempts  made  by  some  of  the 
while  people  to  prejudice  them  against,  or  fright  them 
from  Christianity.  They  sometimes  told  them,  the 
Indians  were  well  enough  already:  that  there  was  no 
need  of  all  this  noise  about  Christianity:  that  if  they 
wore  Christians,  they  would  be  in  no  better,  no  safer, 
or  happier  state  than  they  were  already. 

<» Sometimes  they  told  them  that  I  was  a  knave,  a 
deceiver;  that  I  daily  taught  them  lies,  and  had  no 
other  design  but  to  impose  upon  them. 


1IFE    OF   BRAINERD.  14 1 

"And  when  none  of  these  suggestions  would 
avail,  they  told  the  Indians,  <my  design  was  to 
gather  together  as  large  a  body  of  them  as  I  possi 
bly  could,  and  then  sell  them  to  England  for  slaves.* 
Nothing  could  be  more  likely  to  terrify  the  Indians, 
they  being  naturally  of  a  jealous  disposition,  and 
the  most  averse  to  a  state  of  servitude  perhaps  of 
any  people  living. 

"But  all  these  insinuations  (through  divine  good 
ness)  constantly  turned  against  the  authors  of  them, 
and  only  served  to  engage  the  affections  of  the  In 
dians  more  firmly  to  me;  for  they  could  not  but  ob 
serve,  that  the  persons  who  endeavored  to  imbitter 
their  minds  against  me,  were  altogether  unconcerned 
about  their  own  souls;  and  not  only  so,  but  vicious 
and  profane;  and  thence  could  not  but  argue,  that  if 
they  had  no  concern  for  their  own,  it  was  not  likely 
they  should  have  for  the  souls  of  others. 

"It  seems  yet  the  more  wonderful,  that  the  Indians 
were  preserved  from  once  hearkening  to  these  sug 
gestions,  as  I  was  an  utter  stranger  among  them, 
and  could  give  them  no  assurance  of  my  sincere 
affection,  by  any  thing  that  was  past:  while  the  per 
sons  that  insinuated  these  things  were  their  old  ac 
quaintance,  who  had  had  frequent  opportunities  of 
gratifying  them  with  strong  drink,  and  consequently 
had  the  greatest  interest  in  their  affections. 

"Fourthly:  Nor  is  it  less  wonderful  how  God  was 
pleased  to  provide  a  remedy  for  my  want  of  skill  in 
the  Indian  language,  by  remarkably  fitting  my  in 
terpreter  for,  and  assisting  him  in  the  performance 
of  his  work.  It  might  be  supposed  I  must  labor  un 
der  a  vast  disadvantage  in  addressing  the  Indians  by 
an  interpreter,  and  that  divine  truths  would  unavoid 
ably  lose  much  of  their  energy,  by  coming  to  the  au 
dience  from  a  second  hand.  But  although  this  has 
often  been  the  case  in  times  past,  when  my  interpret 
er  had  little  sense  of  divine  things,  yet  now  it  is 
quite  otherwise.  I  cannot  think  my  addresses  to 
the  Indians  ordinarily  since  the  beginning  of  this  sea- 
Son  of  grace,  have  lost  any  thing  of  the  power  with 
13 


-  LIFE    OF   JJRAIXEKI). 

which  they  were  made,  unless  it  were  sometimes  for 
want  of  pertinent  expressions  in  the  Indian's  lan 
guage;  which  difficulty  could  not  have  been  much  re 
dressed  by  rny  personal  acquaintance  with  it.  My 
interpreter  had  before  gained  some  good  degree  of 
doctrinal  knowledge,  vherebv  he  was  capable  of  un 
derstanding  and  communicating  the  meaning  of  n>y 
discourses,  and  that  \\if-hoiit  being  obliged  to  inter 
pret  word  for  void.  He  had  likewise  an  experi 
mental  acquaintance  with  divine  things;  and  it 
pleased  God  at  this  season  to  inspire  his  mind  with 
longing  desires  for  the  conversion  of  the  Indians, 
and  to  give  him  admirable  zeal  and  fervency  in  ac'- 
dressing  them.  And  it  is  remarkable,  that  when  I 
was  favored  with  any  special  assistance,  and  enabled 
to  speak  with  more  than  common  freedom,  ftriency, 
and;;otrer,  he  was  usually  affected  in  the  same  man 
ner  almost  instantly,  and  seemed  at  once  quickened 
arid  enabled  to  speak  in  the  same  pathetic  language, 
and  under  the  same  influence  that  1  did.  And  a 
surprising  energy  often  accompanied  the  word  at 
such  seasons;  so  that  the  face  ot  the  whole  assembly 
would  be  apparently  changed  almost  in  an  instant, 
and  tears  and  sobs  became  common  among  them. 

"He  likewise  took  pains,  day  and  night,  to  repeat 
and  inculcate  upon  the  minds  of  the  Indians  the 
truths  I  taught  them  daily;  and  this  not  from  spirit 
ual  pride,  but  from  a  spirit  of  faithfulness,  and  an 
honest  concern  for  their  souls. 

"And  thus  God  has  manifested,  that  without  be 
stowing  on  me  the  gift  of  tongues,  he  could  find  a 
way,  wherein  I  might  be  effectually  enabled  to  convey 
the  truths  of  his  glorious  Gospel  to  the  minds  of  these 
poor  benighted  Pagans. 

"Lastly:  The  effects  of  this  work  have  been  very 
remarkable.  J  doubt  not  but  that  many  of  these 
people  have  gained  more  knowledge  of  divine  truths 
since  June  last,  than  could  have  been  instilled  into 
their  minds  by  the  most  diligent  use  of  proper  means 
for  whole  years  together,  without  such  a  divine  influ 
ence.  Their  Pagan  notions,  and  idolatrous  practices, 


LIFE    OF    BRAINERD.  143 

seem  to  be  entirely  abandoned.  They  are  regularly 
disposed  in  the  affairs  of  marriage:  an  instance 
'vhcreof  I  have  given  in  my  journal  of  August  14. 
They  seem  generally  divorced  from  drunkenness, 
their  darling  vice,  and  tiie  <sin  that  easily  besets 
them,'  so  that  I  do  not  know  of  more  than  two  or 
three  who  have  been  my  steady  hearers,  that  have 
drank  to  excess  since  1  first  visited  them,  although 
before  it  was  common  for  some  or  other  of  them  to 
be  drunk  almost  every  day;  and  some  of  them  seem 
now  to  lear  this  sin  in  particular  more  than  death 
itself.  A  principle  of  honesty  and  justice  appears 
in  many  of  them;  and  they  seem  concerned  to  dis- 
eharge  ilieir  old  debts,  which  they  have  neglected, 
and  perhaps  scarce  thought  of  for  years  past.  Their 
manner  of  living  is  much  more  decent  and  comfort 
able  than  formerly.  Love  reigns  among  them,  es 
pecially  those  who  have  experienced  a  real  change: 
and  [  never  saw  any  appearance  of  bitterness  or  cen- 
soriousness,  nor  any  disposition  to  <esteem  themselves 
better  than  others.' 

"As  their  sorrows  under  conviction  have  been  great 
and  pressing,  so  many  of  them  have  since  appeared 
to  <reji)ice  with  joy  unspeakable.'  And  yet  their  con 
solations  do  not  incline  them  to  lightness,  but  are  at 
tended  with  solemnity  and  with  tears,  and  broken- 
ness  of  heart.  And  in  this  respect,  some  of  them 
have  been  surprised  at  themselves,  and  have  with 
concern  observed  to  me,  that  'when  their  hearts  have 
been  glad,  they  could  not  help  crying  for  all.' 

"Upon  the  whole,  here  are  all  the  evidences  of  a 
remarkable  work  of  grace  that  can  reasonably  be 
looked  for.  May  the  great  Author  maintain  and 
promote  the  same  here,  and  propagate  it  every 
where  till  «the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  his  glory!' 

*»[  have  now  rode  more  than  three  thousand  miles 
since  the  beginning  of  March  last,  and  almost  the 
whf»le  of  it  has  been  in  my  own  business  as  a  mis 
sionary,  upon  the  design  of  propagating  Christian 
knowledge  among  the  Indians.  I  have  taken  pains 
to  look  out  for  a  colleague,  or  companion,  to  travel 


144  LIFE    OF   BRA13VERD. 

\\ith  me;  but  have  not  as  yet  found  an^  person 
qualified  and  disposed  for  this  good  work. 

"As  these  poor  pagans  stood  in  need  of  having 
*line  upon  line,  and  precept  upon  precept,'  in  order 
to  their  being  grounded  in  the  principles  of  Chris 
tianity;  so  i  preached  'publicly,  and  taught  from 
house  to  house,'  almost  every  day,  for  whole  weeks 
together,  and  my  public  discourses  did  not  then  make 
up  the  one  half  of  my  work,  while  there  were  so  many 
constantly  coming  to  me  with  that  important  inquiry, 
'what  must  we  do  to  be  saved?'  And  yet  i  can  say, 
to  the  praise  of  God,  that  the  success  with  which  my 
labors  were  crowned,  unspeakably  more  than  com 
pensated  for  the  labor  itself,  and  was  likewise  a  great 
means  of  carrying  me  through  the  business  and  fa 
tigues  which  my  nature  would  have  sunk  under, 
without  such  an  encouraging  prospect.  But  although 
this  success  has  afforded  matter  of  support,  comfort, 
and  thankfulness;  yet  in  this  season  1  have  found 
great  need  of  assistance  in  my  work  of  one  to  bear  a 
part  of  my  labors  and  hardships.  4May  the  Lord  of 
the  harvest  send  forth  other  laborers  into  this  part 
of  his  harvest,  that  those  who  sit  iw  darkness  may 
see  great  light,  and  that  the  whole  earth  may  be 
tilled  with  the  knowledge  of  himself!'  " 

Nov.  5.  He  left  the  Indians,  and  spent  the  re 
maining  part  of  this  week  in  travelling  to  various 
parts  of  New  jersey,  in  order  to  make  a  collection  for 
the  use  of  the  Indians,  and  to  obtain  a  schoolmaster  to 
instruct  them. 

«Lord's-day,  Nov.  10.  (At  Elizabethtown)  I 
preached  in  the  forenoon  from  2  Cor.  v,  20:  God 
was  pleased  to  give  me  freedom  and  fervency;  and 
the  presence  of  God  seemed  to  be  in  the  assembly; 
numbers  was  ,  affected,  and  there  were  many  tears 
among  them.  In  the  afternoon,  I  preached  from 
Luke  xiv,  32,  «Yet  there  is  room!'  J  was  favored 
with  divine  assistance  in  the  first  prayer,  and  poured 
out  my  soul  to  God  with  a  filial  temper:  the  living 
God  assisted  me  in  the  sermon. 


LIFE   OF  BRAINEKD.  145 

"15.  I  could  not  cross  the  ferry  by  reason  of  the 
violence  of  the  wind;  nor  could  I  enjoy  any  place  of 
retirement  at  the  ferry  house.  Yet  God  gave  me 
some  satisfaction,  in  meditation  and  lifting  up  my 
heart  to  him  in  the  midst  of  company.  And  although 
some  were  drinking  and  talking  profanely,  yet  my 
mind  was  calm  and  composed.  And  1  could  not  hut 
bless  God,  that  I  was  not  like  to  spend  an  eternity  in 
such  company. 

"16.  I  crossed  the  ferry  about  ten  o'clock;  ar 
rived  at  Elizabethtown,'  near  night.  1  was  in  a 
composed  frame  of  mind,  and  felt  an  entire  resigna 
tion  with  respect  to  a  loss  1  had  lately  sustained,  in 
having  my  horse  stolen  from  me  the  last  Wednesday 
night. 

'•22.  I  rode  to  Mr.  Tennent's,  and  from  thence 
to  Ooswecksung,  Oh  that  I  could  fill  up  all  my 
time,  whether  in  the  house,  or  by  the  way,  for  God! 
1  was  enabled  this  day  to  give  up  my  soul  to  God, 
and  to  put  all  my  concerns  into  his  hands;  and  found 
real  consolation  in  the  thought  of  being  entirely  at 
his  disposal,  having  no  will  or  interest  of  my  owrn. 
I  have  received  my  all  from  God:  Oh  that  1  could 
return  my  all  to  him!  Surely  God  is  worthy  of  my 
highest  affection,  and  most  devout  adoration:  he  is 
infinitely  worthy  that  1  should  make  him  my  last 
end,  and  live  for  ever  to  him:  Oh  that  I  might  never 
more,  in  any  one  instance,  live  to  myself! 

"Lord's-day,  Nov.  £4.  1  preached  from  the  story 
of  Zaccheus.  When  I  insisted  upon  the  salvation  that 
comes  to  the  sinner,  upon  his  becoming  a  true  believer, 
the  word  seemed  to  be  attended  with  divine  power. 
Numbers  were  much  affected;  former  convictions 
were  revived;  one  or  two  persons  newly  awakened; 
and  a  most  affectionate  engagement  in  divine  ser 
vice  appeared  among  them  universally. 

"26.  1  was  favored  \\itli  freedom  and  fervency 
in  my  discourse.  Many  wept  and  sobbed  affection 
ately,  and  scarce  any  appeared  unconcerned  in  the 
whole  assembly.  The  influence  that  seized  the  audU 
cn.ce  appeared  gentle,  and  yet  deeply  affected  the 


146  .LIFE    OIT   BKALSERD. 

heart.  It  excited  in  the  persons  under  convictions 
of  their  lost  state,  heavy  groans  and  tears;  and  in 
others,  who  had  obtained  comfort,  a  sweet  and  hum 
ble  melting.  It  seemed  like  the  gentle  but  steady 
showers  that  effectually  water  the  earth. 

"The  persons  lately  awakened  were  deeply  dis 
tressed  and  appeared  earnestly  solicitous  to  obtain 
an  interest  in  Christ:  and  some  of  them,  in  anguish 
of  spirit,  said,  «They  knew  not  w  hat  to  do,  nor  how 
to  get  their  wicked  hearts  changed.' 

"28.  After  public  service  was  over,  I  asked  one 
of  the  Indians,  who  wept  most  affectionately,  'what 
she  now  wanted?'  she  replied,  'Oh  to  be  with  Christ; 
she  did  not  know  how  to  stay.'  This  was  a  blessed 
refreshing  season  to  the  religious  people  in  general. 
The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  seemed  to  manifest  his  divine 
glory  to  them,  as  when  transfigured  before  his  disci 
ples.  And  they  were  ready,  universally,  to  say, 
*Lord,  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here.' 

"The  influence  of  God's  word  was  not  confined  to 
those  who  had  given  evidences  of  being  truly  gra 
cious,  though  I  calculated  iny  discourse  for,  and 
directed  it  chiefly  to  such:  but  it  appeared  to  be  a 
season  of  divine  power  in  the  whole  assembly:  so 
that  most  were  in  some  measure,  affected.  And  one 
aged  man  in  particular,,  lately  awakened,  was  now 
brought  under  deep  and  pressing  concern,  and  was 
earnestly  inquisitive  'how  he  might  find  Jesus  Christ.' 
God  seems  still  to  vouchsafe  the  influence  of  his 
blessed  Spirit,  in  all  our  meetings  for  divine  worship. 

"30.  1  explained  the  story  of  the  rich  man  and 
Lazarus,  Luke  xvi,  19.  The  word  made  powerful 
impressions  upon  many,  especially  while  1  discoursed 
of  the  blessedness  of 'Lazarus  in  Abraham's  bosom.' 
This,  I  could  perceive  affected  them  much  more  than 
what  I  spoke  of  the  rich  man's  torments.  And  thus  it 
has  been  usually  with  them.  They  have  appeared 
much  more  affected  with  the  comfortable  than  the 
dreadful  truths  of  God's  word.  And  that  which  has 
distressed  many  of  them  under  convictions  is,  that 
they  wanted,  and  could  not  obtain,  the  happiness  of 


01?   JJRAINEKO.  147 

the  godly:  they  have  often  appeared  to  be  more  af- 
t'ected  with  tkis9  than  with  the  terrors  of  hell.  But 
whatever  he  the  means  of  their  awakening,  it  is  plain 
numbers  are  made  deeply  sensible  of  their  sin  and 
misery;  the  wickedness  of  their  own  hearts;  their 
utter  inability  to  help  themselves,  or  come  to  Christ 
for  help,  without  divine  assistance. 

"Lord's-day,  Dec.  1.  I  gave  them  particular 
cautions  and  directions  relating  to  their  conduct  in 
divers  respects.  And  pressed  them  to  watchfulness 
in  all  their  deportment,  seeing  they  were  encom 
passed  with  those  that « waited  for  ihdr  halting,'  and 
who  stood  ready  to  draw  them  into  temptations  of 
every  kind,  and  then  to  expose  religion  on  their  ac 
count. 

"9.  I  spent  most  of  the  day  in  procuring  provis 
ions,  in  order  to  my  setting  up  house-keeping  among 
the  Indians. 

"10.  1  was  engaged  in  the  same  business  as  yester 
day.  Towards  night  I  got  into  my  own  house.-* 

"12.  I  preached  from  the  parable  of  the  ten  vir 
gins.  The  divine  power  seemed  to  attend  this  dis 
course,  in  which  I  was  favored  with  uncommon  free 
dom  and  plainness  of  address,  and  enabled  to  open 
divine  truths  in  a  manner  beyond  myself. 

"There  appeared  in  many  an  affectionate  concern 
for  their  souls;  and  it  was  refreshing  to  see  them 
melted  into  tears;  some  with  a  sense  of  divine  love, 
and  some  for  want  of  it. 

"Lord's-day,  15.  I  preached  to  the  Indians  from 
Luke  xiii,  24,  28.  Divine  truths  fell  with  weight 
upon  the  audience.  Mear  night  I  discoursed  to 
them  again  from  Matt,  xxv,  31 — 46.  At  which 
season  also  the  word  appeared  to  be  accompanied 
with  divine  influence,  and  made  powerful  impres 
sions  upon  the  assembly  in  general,  as  well  as  upon 
divers  persons  in  a  very  particular  manner.  This 

•This  is  the  third  house  that  he  built  to  dwell  in  by  himself  among 
the  Indians:  the  first  at  Kaunaumeek,  in  the  county  of  \lbany,  the 
second  at  the  forks  of  Delaware,  iu  Pennsylvania,  and  now  this  at 
€ros\veeksung,  in  New  Jersey. 


148  LIFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

was  an  amazing  season  of  grace!  The  word  of  the 
Lord  4\vas  quick  and  powerful,  sharper  than  any 
two-edged  sword.'  The  assembly  was  deeply 
wrought  upon;  and  the  impressions  made  by  the 
word  of  God  appeared  solid  and  rational,  worthy  of 
the  solemn  truths  by  means  of  which  Ihey  were  pro 
duced. 

"Oli  how  did  the  hearts  of  the  hearers  seem  to  bow 
under  the  weight  of  divine  truth!  And  how  evident 
did  it  now  appear  that  they  received  and  felt  them; 
<not  as  the  word  of  man;  but  as  the  word  of  God!' 

"16.  There  was  much  affection  and  concern  in 
the  assembly;  especially  one  woman  appeared  in 
great  distress.  She  was  brought  to  such  an  agony 
in  seeking  after  Christ,  that  the  sweat  ran  off  her 
face  for  a  considerable  time,  although  the  evening 
was  very  cold;  and  her  bitter  cries  were  the  most 
affecting  indication  of  the  inward  anguish  of  her 
heart. 

"31.  My  people  having  now  attained  to  a  consid 
erable  degree  of  knowledge  in  the  principles  of 
Christianity,  I  thought  it  proper  to  set  up  a  catechet 
ical  lecture;  and  this  evening  attempted  something 
in  that  form;  proposing  questions  to  them,  receiving 
their  answers,  and  then  explaining  as  appeared 
proper  upon  each  question.  After  \\hich,  1  endeav 
ored  to  make  some  practical  improvement  of  the 
whole.  They  were  able,  readily  and  rationally  to 
answer  many  important  questions:  so  that  I  found 
their  knowledge  to  exceed  my  expectations.  In  the 
improvement  of  my  discourse,  when  1  came  to  open 
the  blessedness  of  those  who  have  so  great  and  glori 
ous  a  God,  as  had  been  spoken  of,  «for  their  ever 
lasting  friend  and  portion,'  sundry  were  much  affect 
ed;  and  especially  when  I  exhorted  them  'to  be  re 
conciled  to  God,'  through  his  dear  Son,  and  thus  to 
secure  an  interest  in  his  everlasting  favor. 

"Lord's-day,  22.  1  discoursed  upon  the  story  of 
the  young  man  in  the  Gospel,  Matt,  ix,  16. — God 
made  it  a  seasonable  word  to  some  souls.  After  my 
labors  with  the  Indiars,  I  spent  some  time  in  writing, 


LIFE    OF   BRAIXERD.  149 

and  was  much  wearied  with  the  labors  of  the  day. 
1  am  conscious  that  my  labors  arc  as  great  and  con 
stant  as  my  nature  will  bear,  and  that  ordinarily  I 
go  the  extent  of  my  strength;  so  that  1  do  all  1  can; 
but  the  misery  is,  1  do  not  labor  with  that  heavenly 
temper,  that  single  eye  to  the  glory  of  God,  that  1 
long  for. 

"There  were  sundry  persons  of  the  Indians  newly 
come  here,  who  had  frequently  lived  among  quakers, 
and  being  more  civilized  than  the  generality  of  the 
Indians,  they  had  imbibed  some  of  the  quakers' 
principles,  especially  this; — that  if  men  would  but 
live  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences 
(or  the  light  witldnj  there  is  no  doubt  of  their  salva 
tion.  These  persons  I  found  much  worse  to  deal  \vhh 
than  those  who  are  wholly  under  Pagan  darkness, 
who  make  no  pretences  to  knowledge  in  Christianity, 
nor  have  any  self-righteous  foundation  to  stand  upon. 
However,  they  all,  except  one,  appeared  now  con 
vinced,  that  this  was  not  sufficient  to  salvation,  since 
Christ  himself  had  declared  it  so  in  the  case  of  the 
young  man.  And  seemed  in  some  measure,  con 
cerned  to  obtain  that  change  of  heart  which  I  had 
been  laboring  to  show  them  the  necessity  of. 

"This  was  likewise  a  season  of  comfort  to  some 
souls,  and  in  particular  to  one,  who  never  before  ob 
tained  any  settled  comfort.  When  I  came  to  in 
quire  of  her  how  she  got  relief  from  the  distresses 
she  had  lately  been  under,  she  answered  in  broken 
English,-*  <me  try,  me  try,  save  myself,  last  my 
strength  be  all  gone  (meaning  her  ability  to  save 
herself,)  could  not  me  stir  bit  further.  Den  last  me 
forced  let  Jesus  Christ  alone,  send  me  hell  if  he 
please.'  I  said  but  you  was  not  willing  to  go  to  hell 
was  you?  She  replied,f  < Could  not  me  help  it.  My 
heart  he  would  be  wicked  for  all.  Could  not  me 

*  In  proper  English  thus,  «1  tried  and  tried  to  save  myself,  till  at 
last  my  strength  was  all  gone,  and  I  could  not  stir  any  further.  Then 
at  last  I  was  forced  to  let  Jesus  Christ  alone  to  send  me  to  hell  if  he 
pleased 

j  In  plain  English  thus,  «I  could  not  help  it.  My  heart  would  be 
wicked  for  all  1  could  do.  I  could  not  make  it  good.' 


150  TLIFE    OF    BRAIXERT), 


make  him  good:'  I  asked  her,  How  she  got  out  o,f 
this  case?  bhc  answered  stiJl  in  the  same  broken 
language;*  »By,  by,  my  heart  he  glad  desperately.' 
1  asked  lier  why  her  heart  was  glad?  She  replied, 
•Glad  us  y  heart  Jesus  Christ  do  what  you  please  \\ith 
me.  Den  me  tink,  glad  my  heart  Jesus  Christ  send 
me  to  hell.  Did  not  me  tare  where  he  put  me,  me 
Jove  him  for  all.' 

"And  she  could  not  readily  he  convinced  hut  that 
she  was  willing  to  go  to  hell,"  if  Christ  was  pleased 
to  send  her  there.  Though  the  truth  evidently  uas, 
her  will  was  so  swallowed  up  in  the  divine  will:  that 
she  could  not  frame  any  hell  in  her  imagination  that 
would  be  dreadful,  provided  it  was  the  will  of  God 
to  send  her  to  it. 

"£5.  The  Indians  having  been  used,  upon 
Christmas-days,  to  drink  and  revel  among  the  white 
people,  I  thought  proper  to  call  them  together,  and 
discourse  to  them  upon  divine  tilings;  which  I  ac 
cordingly  did  from  the  parable  of  the  barren  fig- 
tree,  Luke  xiii,  6.  The  power  of  God  appeared  in 
the  assembly,  by  awakening  several  stupid  creatures 
that  were  scarce  ever  moved  with  any  concern  be 
fore.  The  impressions  made  upon  the  assembly  in 
general  seemed  not  superficial,  but  deep  and  heart- 
affecting.  0  how  ready  did  they  'appear  to  comply 
with  every  thing  they  were  convinced  was  their 
duty!  God  \\as  in  the  midst  of  us  of  a  truth,  bowing 
and  melting  stubborn  hearts!  How  many  tears  and 
sobs  were  then  to  be  seen  and  heard  among  us! 
What  liveliness  and  strict  attention!  What  eager 
ness  and  intenseness  of  mind!  They  seemed  to 
watch  and  wait  for  the  dropping  of  God's  word,  as 
the  thirsty  earth  for  the  'former  and  latter  rain.' 

"26.  This  evening  I  was  visited  by  a  person  un 
der  great  spiritual  exercise.  She  was  a  woman  of 

*  'By  and  by  my  heart  was  exceeding  glad.  My  heart  was  glad 
that  Jesus  Christ  would  do  with  me  what  he  pleased.  "Then  I  thought 
my  heart  would  be  glad  although  Christ  should  send  me  to  hell.  I  did 
not  care  where  he  put  we,  I  skould  love  him  for  all  (i.  e,)  de  what  he 
would  with  iae.' 


LIFE  OF  B-RAIJVERD.  15 

more  than  four-score  years  old,  and  appeared  to  be 
much  broken  and  very  childish  through  age,  so  that 
it  seemed  impossible  for  man  to  instil  into  her  mind 
any  notions  of  divine  things. — She  was  led  by  the 
hand  into  my  house,  and  appeared  in  extreme  an 
guish.  I  asked,  what  ailed  her?  She  answered 
'lhat  her  heart  was  distressed,  and  she  feared  she 
should  never  find  Christ.'  I  asked,  when  she  began 
to  be  concerned?  She  answered  to  this  effect  that 
she  had  heard  me  preach  many  times,  but  never 
'felt  in  her  heart'  till  the  last  Sabbath;  and  then  it 
came,  she  said,  'all  one  as  if  a  needle  had  been 
tli rust  into  her  heart:  since  which  time  she  had  no 
rest  day  or  night.'  She  added,  that  on  the  evening 
before  Christmas,  a  number  of  Indians  being  to 
gether  at  the  house  where  she  was.  and  discoursing 
about  Christ,  their  talk  pricked  her  heart,  so  that  she 
could  not  sit  up,  but  fell  down  on  her  bed;  at  which 
time  she  went  away  (as  she  expressed  it,)  and  fdfc 
as  if  she  dreamed,  and  yet  is  confident  she  did  not 
dream.  When  she  was  thus  gone,  she  saw  two 
paths;  one  appeared  very  broad  and  crooked,  and 
that  turned  to  the  left  hand;  the  other  appeared 
straight  and  very  narrow,  and  that  went  up  the  hill 
to  the  right  hand.  She  travelled,  she  said,  for  somtf 
time  up  the  narrow  right  hand  path,  till  at  length, 
something  seemed  to  obstruct  her  journey.  She 
sometimes  called  it  darkness,  and  sometimes  seemed 
to  compare  it  to  a  block  or  bar.  She  then  remem 
bered,  she  says,  what  she  h.id  heard  me  say  about 
•striving  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate'  (although  she 
took  little  notice  of  it  at  the  time,)  and  thought  she 
would  climb  over  this  bar.  But  just  as  she  was 
thinking  of  this,  she  came  back  again,  as  she  termed 
it,  meaning  that  she  came  to  herself;  whereupon  her 
soul  was  extremely  distressed,  apprehending  she  had 
now  turned  back  and  forsaken  Christ,  and  that 
there  was  therefore  no  hope  of  mercy  for  her. 

«1  then  proposed  to  her  the  provision  made  in  the 
Gospel  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and  the  ability 
aud  willingness  of  Christ  <to  save  to  th«  uttermost 


152  1IFE    OF   URAINERD. 

all  (old  as  well  as  young)  that  come  to  him.* 
To  which  she  seemed  to  give  a  hearty  assent.  But 
instantly  replied,  <Ay,  hut  1  cannot  come;  my  wick 
ed  heart  will  not  come  to  Christ;  I  do  not  know  how 
to  come/  And  this  she  spoke  in  anguish  of  spirit, 
striking  her  breast,  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  and  with 
such  earnestness  in  her  looks  as  was  indeed  affecting. 

"She  seemed  to  be  really  convinced  of  her  sin 
and  misery,  and  her  need  of  a  change  of  heart;  and 
her  concern  is  abiding  and  constant.  So  that  noth 
ing  appears  hut  that  this  exercise  may  have  a  sav 
ing  issue.  And  indeed  there  is  ground  to  hope  for 
it,  seeing  she  is  solicitous  to  obtain  an  interest  in 
Christ,  that  her  heart  (as  she  expresses  it)  prays 
day  and  night. 

"Dec.  28.  I  discoursed  to  my  people  in  the 
catechetical  method  I  lately  entered  upon.  And  in 
the  improvement  of  my  discourse,  wherein  I  was 
comparing  man's  present  with  his  primitive  state; 
and  pressing  sinners  to  take  a  vie\v  of  their  deplor 
able  circumstances  without  Chri*t$  as  also  to  strive 
that  they  may  obtain  an  interest  in  hint;  the  Lord 
granted  a  remarkable  influence  of  his  blessed  Spirit, 
and  there  was  a  great  concern  in  the  assembly:  many 
were  melted  into  tears,  and  the  impressions  made 
upon  them  seemed  deep  and  heart  affecting.  And  in 
particular,  there  were  two  or  three  persons  who  ap 
peared  to  be  reduced  almost  to  extremity;  being 
convinced  of  the  impossibility  of  helping  themselves, 
or  mending  their  own  hearis;  and  upon  the  point 
of  giving  up  all  hope  in  themselves*  and  venturing 
upon  Christ  as  naked,  helpless,  and  undone. 

"Lord's-day,  Dec.  29  1  preached  from  John  iii, 
1—5.  A  number  of  white  people  were  present,  as 
is  usual  on  the  Sabbath.  The  discourse  seemed  to 
have  a  silent,  but  deep  and  piercing  influence  upon 
the  audience.  Many  wept  and  sobbed  affrctioiiately. 
And  there  were  some  tears  among  the  white  people, 
as  well  as  the  Indians.  Some  could  nor  rf  frwin  from 
crying  out.  But  the  impressions  mad«  upon  their 
hearts,  appeared  chiefly  by  the  extraordinary  earn- 


LIFE    OF    BRAIKERD.  15S 

estness  of  their  attention,  and  their  heavy  sighs  and 
tears. 

"After  public  service  was  over,  I  went  to  my 
house,  proposing  to  preach  again  after  a  short  inter 
mission.  But  they  soon  came  in  one  after  another, 
with  tears  in  their  eyes,  to  know  'What  they  should 
do  to  be  saved.'  And  the  dh'ine  Spirit  in  such  a 
manner  set  home  upon  their  hearts  what  I  spoke  to 
them,  that  the  house  was  soon  filled  with  cries  and 
groans.  They  all  flocked  together  upon  this  occa 
sion,  and  those  whom  1  had  reason  to  think  in  a 
Christless  state,  were  almost  universally  seized  with 
concern  for  their  souls. 

"It  was  an  amazing  season  of  power  among  them, 
and  seemed  as  if  God  had  'bowed  the  heavens*  and 
come  down.'  So  astonishingly  prevalent  was  the 
operation  upon  old  as  well  as  young,  that  it  seemed 
as  if  God  was  about  to  convert  all  the  world.  And  I 
was  ready  to  think  then,  that  1  should  never  again 
despair  of  the  conversion  of  any  man  or  woman  liv 
ing. 

"It  is  impossible  to  give  a  just  description  of  the 
appearance  of  things  at  this  season.  A  number 
were  rejoicing  that  God  had  not  taken  away  the  in 
fluence  of  his  blessed  Spirit.  Refreshed  to  see  so 
many  'striving  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate;'  and 
animated  with  such  concern  for  them,  that  they 
wanted  'to  push  them  forward,'  as  some  of  them  ex 
pressed  it.  At  the  same  time  numbers,  both  of 
men  and  women,  old  and  young,  might  be  seen  in 
tears,  and  some  in  anguish  of  spirit,  appearing  in 
their  countenances,  like  condemned  malefactors,  go 
ing  towards  the  place  of  execution,  so  that  there 
seemed  a  lively  emblem  of  the  solemn  day  of  ac 
counts;  a  mixture  of  heaven  and  hell,  of  joy  un 
speakable,  and  anguish  inexpressible. 

"The  concern  was  such,  that  I  could  not  pretend 
to  have  any  formal  religious  exercises  among  them; 
but  spent  the  time  in  discoursing  to  one  and  another, 
sometimes  all  together,  and  concluded  with  prayer. 
Such  were  their  circumstances,  that  I  could  scarce 
14 


154  LIFE    OP    BRAINERD. 

liave  half  an  hour's  rest  from  speaking,  from  about 
half  an  hour  before  twelve  o'clock,  (at  which  time 
1  began  public  worship)  until  past  seven  at  night. 

"Dec.  30.  )  was  visited  by  four  or  five  young 
persons  under  concern  for  their  souls,  most  of  whom 
were  very  lately  awakened.  They  wept  much  while 
I  discoursed  to  them,  and  endeavored  to  press  upon 
them  the  necessity  ofjlying  to  Christ,  without  delay, 
for  salvation. 

"31.  1  spent  some  hours  this  day  in  visiting  my 
people  from  house  to  house:  and  scarce  left  a  house 
without  leaving  some  or  other  of  its  inhabitants  in 
tears,  solicitously  engaged  to  obtain  an  interest  in 
Christ. 

"The  Indians  are  now  gathered  together  from 
all  quarters  to  this  place,  and  have  built  them  little 
cottages  so  that  more  than  twenty  families  live  with 
in  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  me.  A  very  convenient 
situation  in  regard  of  both  public  and  private  in 
struction. 

"January  1,  1745.  I  am  this  day  beginning  a 
new  year:  and  God  has  carried  me  through  numer 
ous  trials  and  labors  in  the  past.  He  has  amazingly 
supported  my  feeble  frame;  for  « having  obtained 
help  of  God,  I  continue  to  this  day.'  O  that  I  might 
live  nearer  to  God,  this  year  than  I  did  the  last! 
The  business  that  I  have  been  enabled  to  go  through 
1  know  has  been  as  great  as  nature  could  bear  up 
under,  and  what  would  have  sunk  me  quite,  without 
special  support  But  alas!  though  I  have  done  the 
labors,  and  endured  the  trials,  with  what  spirit  have 
I  done  the  one,  and  borne  the  other?  How  cold  has 
my  heart  often  been!  and  how  little  have  I  eyed  the 
glory  of  Godl  I  have  found,  that  I  could  have  no 
peace  without  filling  up  all  my  time  with  labors: 
and  thus  'necessity  has  been  laid  upon  me;'  yea, 
in  that  respect,  I  have  loved  to  labor:  but  I  could 
not  sensibly  labor  for  God,  as  I  would  have  done. 
May  1  for  the  future  be  enabled  more  sensibly  to 
make  the  glory  of  God  my  all. 


LIFE    OF    BUAINERD.  155 

"This  day  I  spent  some  considerable  time  in  visit 
ing  my  people  again,  and  found  scarce  one  but  what 
was  under  some  serious  impressions. 

"2.  I  visited  some  persons  newly  come  among 
us,  who  had  scarce  ever  heard  any  thing  of  Chris 
tianity  (but  the  name.)  I  endeavored  to  instruct 
them  in  the  first  principles  of  religion,  in  the  most 
easy  and  familiar  manner  I  could. 

'•There  are  strangers  almost  continually  dropping 
in,  so  that  I  have  occasion  repeatedly  to  open  and 
inculcate  the  first  principles  of  Christianity. 

"Near  night  I  proposed  to  have  proceeded  in  my 
usual  method  of  catechising.  But  while  we  were 
engaged  in  the  first  prayer,  the  power  of  God  came 
upon  the  assembly  in  so  remarkable  a  manner  and 
so  many  appeared  under  present  concern,  that  I 
thought  it  much  more  expedient  to  insist  upon  the 
plentiful  provision  made  for  the  redemption  of  per 
ishing  sinners,  arid  to  press  them  to  a  speedy  accept 
ance  of  the  great  salvation,  than  to  ask  them  ques 
tions  about  doctrinal  points. 

"I  baptized  two  persons  this  day;  one  adult  and 
one  child. 

"The  woman  has  discovered  an  heavenly  frame  of 
mind,  from  her  first  reception  of  comfort.  Ono 
morning  in  particular  she  came  to  see  me,  discover 
ing  an  unusual  joy  in  her  countenance;  and  when  I 
inquired  the  reason  of  it,  she  replied,  <that  God  had 
made  her  feel  that  it  was  right  for  him  to  do  as  he 
pleased  with  all  things.'  She  moreover  inquired 
whether  I  was  not  sent  to  preach  to  the  Indians,  by 
some  good  people  a  great  way  off.  I  replied,  <Yes, 
by  the  good  people  in  Scotland.'  She  answered, 
'that  her  heart  loved  those  good  people  so,  the  even 
ing  before,  that  she  could  scarce  help  praying  for 
them  all  night,  her  heart  would  go  to  God  for 
them.' 

"Jan.  8.  My  heart  was  drawn  out  after  God; 
my  soul  was  refreshed  and  quickened:  1  had  great 
hopes  of  the  ingathering  of  precious  souls  to  Christ; 
not  only  among  my  own  people  but  others  also.  I 


156  LIFE    OF   BRAINJERD. 

was  sweetly  resigned  and  composed  under  my  bodily 
weakness;  and  was  willing  to  live  or  die;  and  desir 
ous  to  labor  for  God  to  the  utmost  of  my  strength. 

**Jan.  10.  My  soul  was  in  a  calm,  composed 
frame,  and  filled  with  love  to  all  the  world:  Chris 
tian  simplicity  and  tenderness  seemed  to  prevail  and 
reign  \\ith  me.  Near  night,  1  visited  a  serious 
baptist  minister,  and  had  some  agreeable  conversa 
tion  with  him. 

U13.  I  was  visited  by  divers  persons  under 
deep  concern:  one  of  whom  was  newly  awakened. 
It  is  a  most  agreeable  work  to  treat  with  souls  who 
are  solicitously  inquiring  'What  they  should  do  to  be 
saved.'  And  as  we  are  never  to  be  'weary  in  well 
doing,'  so  the  obligation  is  peculiarly  strong  when 
the  work  is  so  lively.  And  yet  my  health  is  so  much 
impaired,  and  my  spirits  so  wasted  with  my  labors, 
and  solitary  manner  of  living,  (there  being  no  hu 
man  creature  in  the  house  with  me,)  that  their  re 
peated  and  almost  incessant  applications  to  me  for 
help  and  direction,  are  sometimes  exceedingly  bur 
densome.  And  what  contributes  much  toward  this 
difficulty  is,  that  I  am  obliged  to  spend  much  time 
in  communicating  a  little  matter  to  them;  there 
being  often  many  things  necessary  to  be  premised, 
before  1  can  speak  directly  to  what  I  principally 
aimed  atf  which  things  would  readily  be  taken  for 
granted,  where  there  was  a  competency  of  knowl 
edge. 

"Lord's-day,  Jan.  19.  I  catechised  in  my  ordina 
ry  method.  Numbers  were  much  affected.  Convic 
tions  powerfully  revived.  Divers  of  the  Christians 
refreshed  and  strengthened.  And  one  weary  heavy- 
laden  soul,  I  have  reason  to  hope  was  brought  to 
true  rest  and  solid  comfort  in  Christ. 

*lHe  told  me,  he  had  often  heard  me  say,  that 
persons  must  see  and  feel  themselves  helpless  and 
undone;  that  they  must  give  up  all  hope  of'  saving 
themselves  by  their  own  doings,  in  order  to  their 
coming  to  Christ  for  salvation.  And  he  had  long 
been  striving  after  this;  supposing  this  would  be  an 


OF  BIUiNERD.  157 

excellent  frame  of  mind:  that  God  would  have  re 
spect  to  this  frame,  and  bestow  eternal  life  upon 
him.  But  when  he  came  to  feel  himself  in  this 
helpless  undone  condition,  he  found  it  quite  contrary 
to  all  his  thoughts:  so  that  it  was  not  the  same,  nor 
indeed  any  thing  like  the  frame  he  had  been  seeking 
after.  Instead  of  its  being  &  good  frame  of  mind,  he 
now  found  nothing  but  badness  in  himself,  and  saw 
it  was  for  ever  impossible  for  him  to  make  himself 
any  better.  He  was  amazed  he  had  never  before 
seen  that  it  was  utterly  impossible  for  him,  by  all  his 
contrivances  and  endeavors,  to  do  any  thing  that  way. 
Instead  of  imagining  that  God  would  be  pleased 
with  him  for  the  sake  of  this  frame  of  mind,  he  saw 
clearly  it  would  be  just  with  God  to  send  him  to 
eternal  misery;  and  that  there  was  no  goodness  in 
what  he  then  felt;  for  he  could  not  help  seeing,  that 
he  was  naked,  sinful,  and  miserable,  and  there  was 
nothing  in  such  a  sight  to  deserve  God's  love  or  pity. 

"In  this  frame  of  mind  he  came  to  public  worship 
this  evening,  and  while  I  was  inviting  sinners  to 
come  to  Christ  naked  and  empty,  without  any  good 
ness  of  their  own  to  recommend  them  to  his  accept 
ance;  he  thought,  that  he  had  often  tried  to  come  and 
give  up  his  heart  to  Christy  and  he  used  to  hope, 
that  some  time  or  other  he  should  be  able  to  do  so. 
JBut  now  he  was  convinced  he  conld  not,  and  it  seem 
ed  utterly  vain  for  him  ever  to  try  any  more:  nor  did 
he  now  hope  for  a  better  opportunity  hereafter,  as 
he  had  formerly  done,  because  he  saw,  and  was  full/ 
convinced,  his  own  strength  would  for  ever  fail. 

"While  he  was  musing  in  this  manner,  he  saw,  he 
said,  with  his  heart,  (which  is  a  common  phrase 
among  them)  something  that  was  unspeakably  good 
and  lovely,  and  what  he  had  never  seen  before;  and 
•this  stole  away  his  heart  whether  he  would  or  no.' 
lie  did  not,  he  said,  know  what  it  was  he  saw.  He 
did  not  say,  «this  is  Jesus  Christ;'  but  it  was  such 
glory  and  beauty  as  he  never  saw  before.  He  did 
not  now  give  away  his  heart  so  as  he  had  formerly 
attempted  to  do,  but  it  went  away  of  itself  after  that 


158  LIFE    OF    BBAINEKIf, 

glory  he  then  discovered.  He  used  to  try  to  make  a 
bargain  with  Christ,  to  give  up  his  heart  to  him,  that 
he  might  have  eternal  life  for  it.  But  now  he 
thought  nothing  about  himself,  but  his  mind  was 
wholly  taken  up  with  the  unspeakable  excellency  of 
what  he  then  beheld. 

«* After  some  time  he  was  wonderfully  pleased 
with  the  way  of  salvation  by  Christ;  so  that  it 
seemed  unspeakably  better  to  be  saved  altogether  by 
the  mere  free  grace  of  God  in  Christ,  than  to  have 
any  hand  in  saving  himself.  And  the  consequence 
is,  that  he  appears  to  retain  a  relish  of  divine  things, 
and  to  maintain  a  life  of  true  religion. 

"Lord's-day,  Jan.  £6.  After  public  worship,  I 
was  in  a  sweet  and  solemn  frame  of  mind,  thankful 
to  God  that  he  had  made  me  in  some  measure  faith 
ful  in  addressing  precious  souls,  but  grieved  that  i 
liad  been  no  more  fervent  in  my  work;  and  tenderly 
affected  towards  all  the  world,  longing  that  every 
sinner  might  be  saved;  and  could  not  have  entertain 
ed  any  bitterness  towards  the  worst  enemy  living. 
In  the  evening,  I  rode  to  Elizabethtown:  while  riding 
1  was  almost  constantly  engaged  in  lifting  up  my 
heart  to  God,  lest  I  should  lose  that  sweet  heavenly 
solemnity  and  composure  of  soul  I  enjoyed.  After 
wards,  1  was  pleased  to  think,  that  God  reigneth: 
and  thought,  I  could  never  be  uneasy  with  any  of  his 
dispensations;  but  must  be  entirely  satisfied  what 
ever  trials  lie  should  cause  me  or  his  church  to  en 
counter.  I  never  felt  more  divine  serenity  and  com 
posure  of  mind:  I  could  freely  have  left  the  dearest 
earthly  friend,  for  the  society  of  'angels  and  spirits 
of  just  men  made  perfect:'  my  affections  soared 
aloft  to  the  blessed  Author  of  every  dear  enjoyment; 
I  viewed  the  emptiness  and  unsatisfactory  nature 
of  the  most  desirable  earthly  objects,  any  further 
than  God  has  seen  in  them:  and  longed  for  a  life  of 
spirituality  and  inward  purity;  without  which  I  saw 
there  could  be  no  true  pleasure. 

"28.     The  Indians  in  these  parts  having  in  times 
past  run  themselves  in  debt  by  their  excessive  drink- 


LIFE    OF   BRALtfERD.  159 

ing;  and  some  having  taken  the  advantages  of  them 
and  arrested  sundry  of  them,  whereby  it  was  sup 
posed  their  hunting  lands  might  speedily  he  taken 
from  them;  I  being  sensible  that  they  could  not 
subsist  together  in  these  parts,  if  these  Jands  should 
drop  out  of  their  hands,  thought  it  my  duty  to  use 
my  utmost  endeavors  to  prevent  it.  And  having  ac 
quainted  the  gentlemen  concerned  in  this  mission 
with  the  affair,  they  thought  it  proper  to  expend  the 
money  they  had  been  collecting  for  the  religious  in 
terest  of  the  Indians  (at  least  a  part  of  it,)  for  the 
discharging  of  their  debts,  and  securing  these  lands. 
And  having  received  orders  from  them,  I  answered, 
in  behalf  of  the  Indians,  eighty-two  pounds  five 
shillings,  New  Jersey  currency. 

"31.  This  day  the  person  1  had  engaged  for  a 
schoolmaster  among  the  Indians,  arrived  among  us, 
and  was  heartily  welcomed  by  my  people.  Where 
upon  1  distributed  several  dozen  of  primers,  among 
the  children  and  young  people. 

"February  1.  My  schoolmaster  entered  upon  his 
business  among  the  Indians. — lie  has  generally 
about  thirty  children  and  young  persons  in  his 
school  in  the  day  time,  and  about  fifteen  married 
people  in  his  evening-school.  The  number  of  the 
latter  sort  of  persons  being  less  than  it  would  be,  if 
they  could  be  more  constant  at  home. 

"In  the  evening  I  catechised  in  my  usual  method. 
Towards  the  close  of  my  discourse,  a  surprising 
power  seemed  to  attend  the  word.  One  man  consid 
erably  in  years,  who  had  been  a  remarkable  drunk 
ard,  a  conjurer  and  murderer,  that  was  awakened 
some  months  before,  was  now  brought  to  great  ex 
tremity,  so  that  he  trembled  for  hours  together,  and 
apprehended  himself  just  dropping  into  hell,  without 
any  power  to  rescue  or  relieve  himself. — Divers 
others  appeared  under  great  concern,  as  well  as  he, 
and  solicitous  to  obtain  a  saving  change." 

Feb.  10.  He  set  out  on  a  journey  to  the  Forks 
of  Delaware,  to  visit  the  Indians  there,  lie  per 
formed  the  journey  under  great  weakness,  and  some- 


160  XIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

times  was  exorcised  with  much  pain:  he  arrived  at 
his  own  house  at  the  Forks,  on  Friday. 

«»l  baptized  three  persons,  two  adults,  and  one 
child.  There  was  a  considerable  melting  in  the  as 
sembly,  while  1  was  administering  the  ordinance. 

"God  has  been  pleased  1<>  own  and  bless  the  ad 
ministration  of  this,  as  well  as  of  his  other  ordinan 
ces,  among  the  Indians.  There  are  some  here  that 
have  been  powerfully  awakened  at  seeing  others  bap 
tized.  And  some  that  have  obtained  relief  and  com 
fort,  just  in  the  season  when  this  ordinance  has  been 
administered. 

"Towards  night  I  catechised.  God  made  this  a 
powerful  season.  There  were  many  affected.  For 
mer  convictions  were  powerfully  revived.  There 
was  likewise  one,  who  had  been  a  vile  drunkard,  re 
markably  awakened-.  He  appeared  to  be  in  great 
anguish  of  soul,  wept  and  trembled,  and  continued  so 
to  do  till  near  midnight.  There  was  also  a  poor 
heavy-laden  soul,  who  had  been  long  under  spiritual 
distress,  that  was  now  brought  to  a  comfortable 
calm,  and  told  me,  'she  now  saw  and  felt  it  was  right 
God  should  do  with  her  as  he  pleased.'  And  added, 
that  the  heavy  burden  she  had  laid  under,  was  now 
removed:  that  she  felt  she  never  could  do  any  thing 
to  save  herself,  but  must  perish  for  ever  if  Christ 
did  not  do  all  for  her.  But  Christ  could  save  her, 
though  she  could  do  nothing  to  save  herself. 

"Lord's-day,  Feb.  16.  Knowing  that  divers  of  the 
Indians  in  those  parts  were  obstinately  set  against 
Christianity,  I  thought  it  proper  to  have  some  of  my 
people  from  Croswecksung  with  me,  in  order  to  con 
verse  with  them:  hoping  it  might  be  a  means  to  con 
vince  them  of  the  truth,  to  hear  and  see  some  of 
their  own  nation  discoursing  of  divine  things,  and 
manifesting  earnest  desires  that  others  might  be 
brought  out  of  heathenish  darkness,  as  themselves 
were. 

"And  having  taken  half  a  dozen  of  the  most  serious 
and  knowing  persons,  1  this  day  met  with  them  and 
the  Indians  of  this  place  (sundry  of  whom  could  riot 


LIFE    OF    BRAINERD.  161 

have  been  prevailed  upon  to  attend  the  meeting,  had 
it  not  been  tor  these  Indians  that  accompanied  me) 
and  preached  to  them. — Some  of  them  \vlio  had,  in 
times  past,  been  extremely  averse  to  Christianity, 
now  behaved  soberly;  though  others  laughed  and 
mocked.  However  the  word  of  God  i'eii  with  such 
weight  and  power  that  several  seemed  to  be  stunned, 
and  expressed  a  willingness  to  'hear  me  again  of 
these  matters.' 

"After  public  worship  I  spent  some  time  to  con 
vince  those  that  mocked,  of  the  truth  and  importance 
of  what  1  had  been  insisting  upon:  and  1  had  reason 
to  think,  that  my  endeavors  took  effect  upon  one  of 
the  worst  of  them. 

"Those  few  Indians  then  present,  who  used  to  be 
my  hearers  in  these  parts  (some  having  removed  from 
thence  to  Crosweeksung,)  seemed  glad  to  see  me 
again,  although  they  had  been  so  much  attacked  by 
some  of  the  opposing  Pagans,  that  they  were  almost 
afraid  to  manifest  their  friendship. 

"In  the  evening  I  was  in  a  composed  frame  of 
mind.  It  was  exceedingly  refreshing  to  think,  that 
God  had  been  with  me,  affording  me  some  good  meas 
ure  of  assistance.  I  found  freedom  in  prayer  for 
my  dear  friends  and  acquaintance.  Blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord  that  ever  I  am  enabled  to  do  any 
thing  for  his  interest  and  kingdom.  Blessed  be 
God  who  enables  me  to  be  faithful.  1  enjoyed  more 
resolution  for  God,  and  more  refreshment  of  spirit, 
than  1  have  been  favored  with  for  many  weeks 
past. 

"Feb.  17.  I  discoursed  from  Acts  viii,  5 — 8,  A 
divine  influence  seemed  to  attend  the  word.  Sundry 
of  the  Indiana  here  appeared  to  be  somewhat  awaken 
ed,  and  manifested  a  concern  by  their  earnest  atten 
tion,  tears,  and  sobs.  My  people  from  Crosweek 
sung,  continued  with  them  day  and  night,  repeating 
and  inculcating  the  truths  1  had  taught  them:  and 
sometimes  prayed  and  sung  psalms  among  them; 
discoursing  with  each  other,  in  their  hearing,  of  the 
great  things  God  had  done  for  them,  and  for  the  In- 


162  LlFfi    OE    BRAINERJ. 

liians  from  whence  they  came:  which  seemed  to  take 
more  effect  upon  them,  than  when  they  directed  their 
discourses  immediately  to  them. 

1*18.  I  preached  to  an  assembly  of  Irish  people, 
near  fifteen  miles  distant  from  the  Indians. 

"19.  1  preached  to  the  Indians  again,  after  hav 
ing  spent  a  considerable  time  in  conversing  with 
them  privately.  There  appeared  a  great  solemnity, 
and  some  concern  and  affection  among  the  Indians 
belonging  to  these  parts,  as  well  as  a  sweet  melting 
among  those  who  came  with  me.  Divers  of  the  In 
dians  here  seemed  to  have  their  prejudices  removed, 
and  appeared  well  disposed  to  hear  the  word  of  God. 

"20. 1  preached  to  a  small  assembly  of  High  Dutch 
people,  who  had  seldom  heard  the  Gospel,  and  were 
(some  of  them  at  least)  very  ignorant;  but  divers  of 
them  have  lately  been  put  upon  an  inquiry  after  the 
way  of  salvation.  They  gave  wonderful  attention,  and 
some  of  them  were  much  affected,  and  afterwards 
said  (as  1  was  informed)  that  they  never  had  been 
so  much  enlightened  about  the  way  of  salvation  in 
their  whole  lives  before.  They  requested  me  to  tar 
ry  with  them,  or  come  again  and  preach  to  them. 
And  it  grieved  me  that  I  could  not  comply  with  their 
request,  for  I  could  not  but  be  affected  with  their  cir 
cumstances;  they  being  as  <sheep  not  having  a  shep 
herd.' 

"21.  I  preached  to  a  number  of  people,  many  of 
them  Low  Dutch.  Sundry  of  the  forementioried 
High  Dutch  attended  the  sermon  though  eight  or  ten 
miles  distant  from  their  houses  Divers  of  the  In 
dians  also  belonging  to  these  parts,  came  of  their  own 
accord  (with  my  people  from  Croswreeksung)  to  the 
meeting:  two  in  particular,  who  on  the  last  Sabbath 
opposed  and  ridiculed  Christianity. 

"22.  I  preached  to  the  Indians.  They  seemed 
more  free  from  prejudice,  and  more  cordial  to 
Christianity  than  before,  arid  some  appeared  much 
affected. 

"My  spirits  were  supported,  though  my  bodily 
strength  was  much  wasted.  O  that  God  would  be 
gracious  to  the  souls  of  these  poor  Indians. 


LIFE    OF    BRAINERD.  1G3 

<«'God  has  been  very  gracious  to  me  this  week:  he 
has  enabled  me  to  preach  every  day:  and  has  given 
me  some  assistance,  and  an  encouraging  prospect  of 
success  in  almost  every  sermon.  Hlessed  be  his 
name.  Divers  of  the  white  people  have  been  awak 
ened  this  week;  sundry  of  the  Indians  much  cured  of 
the  prejudices  and  jealousies  they  had  conceived 
against  Christianity,  and  some  seemed  to  be  really 
awakened  " 

The  next  day  he  left  the  Forks  of  Delaware,  to 
return  to  Croswceksung;  and  preached  by  the  way 
every  day,  excepting  one;  and  was  several  times 
greatly  assisted;  he  had  much  inward  comfort,  and 
earnest  longings  to  fill  up  his  time  with  the  service 
of  God. 

"Lord's-day,  March  2.  Some  of  my  people  \\  ho 
went  up  to  the  Forks  of  Delaware  with  me,  being 
now  returned,  were  accompanied  by  two  of  the  In 
dians  belonging  to  the  Forks,  who  had  promised  me 
a  speedy  visit.  They  can  scarce  go  into  a  house 
now,  but  they  will  meet  with  Christian  conver 
sation,  whereby  they  may  be  both  instructed  and 
awakened, 

<*i  know  of  no  assembly  of  Christians,  where 
there  seems  to  be  so  much  of  the  presence  of  God, 
where  brotherly  love  so  much  prevails,  as  in  my  own 
congregation:  although  not  more  than  nine  months 
ago  they  were  worshipping  devils  and  dumb  idols, 
under  the  power  of  Pagan  darkness  and  superstition. 
Amazing  change!  effected  by  nothing  less  than  di 
vine  power  and  grace! 

"Their  present  situation  is  so  compact  and  com 
modious,  that  they  are  quickly  called  together  with 
only  the  sound  of  a  conk-shell,  (a  sht-11  like  that  of  a 
periwinkle)  so  that  they  have  frequent  opportunities 
of  attending  religious  exercises  publicly:  which 
seems  to  be  a  great  means,  under  God,  of  keeping 
alive  their  impressions  of  divine  things. 

"March  6.  I  walked  alone  in  the  evening,  and 
enjoyed  comfort  in  prayer,  beyond  what  I  have  of 
late  enjoyed:  my  soul  rejoiced  in  my  pilgrimage  state. 


164  LIFE    OF   BRAIXERD. 

I  was  delighted  with  the  thought  of  laboring  and  en 
during  hardness  fur  God:  and  confided  in  God  that  he 
'never  would  leave  me  nor  forsake  me,'  to  the  end  of 
my  race.  Oh,  may  I  obtain  mercy  of  God  to  be  faith 
ful,  to  my  dying  moment! 

*«3.  1  catechised  in  the  evening.  My  people  an 
swered  the  questions  proposed  to  them  well.  I  can 
perceive  their  knowledge  in  religion  increases  daily. 
And  what  is  still  more  desirable,  the  divine  influence 
among  them,  appears  still  to  continue.  The  divine 
presence  seemed  to  be  in  the  assembly  this  evening. 
Some  who  were  Christians  indeed,  were  melted  with 
a  sense  of  the  divine  goodness,  and  their  own  barren 
ness  and  ingratitude.  Convictions  also  appeared  to 
revive  in  several;  so  it  might  justly  be  called  'an 
evening  of  power.' 

"LordVday,  March  9.  I  preached  from  Luke  x, 
58 — 42.  The  word  of  God  was  attended  with  ener 
gy.  Numbers  were  affected  and  concerned  to  ob 
tain  the  one  thing  needful.  Several  that  have  given 
good  evidences  of  being  truly  gracious,  were  much 
affected  with  a  sense  of  their  want  of  spirituality; 
and  saw  the  need  they  stood  in  of  growing  in  grace. 
And  most  that  had  had  any  impression  of  divine 
things  in  times  past,  now  felt  those  impressions  re 
vived 

"In  the  afternoon.  I  proposed  to  have  catechised 
in  my  usual  method.  But  while  we  were  engaged  in 
the  first  prayer,  in  the  Indian  language,  (as  usual)  a 
great  part  of  the  assembly  was  so  much  moved,  that 
1  thought  it  proper  to  omit  the  questions,  and  insist 
upon  the  most  practical  truths. 

"There  appeared  to  be  a  powerful  influence  in  the  con  - 
gregatiori.  Those,  truly  pious,  were  so  deeply  affected 
with  a  sense  of  their  own  barrenness  and  their  own  un 
worthy  treatment  of  their  blessed  Redeemer,  that  they 
looked  On  him  as  pierced  by  themselves,  and  mourned, 
yea,  some  of  them  were  inbittcrness  as  for  a  first -born. 
— Some  poor  awakened  sinners  also  appeared  to  be  in 
anguish  of  soul  to  obtain  an  interest  in  Christ.  So 
that  there  was  a  great  mourning  in  the  assembly: 


I/IFE    OF   BRAINERD.  165 

many  heavy  groans  and  tears!  and  one  or  two  per 
sons  newly  come  among  us,  were  considerably 
awakened. 

'•After  public  worship  many  came  to  my  house, 
where  we  sung  and  discoursed;  and  the  presence  of 
God  sec;iied  here  also  to  be  in  the  midst  of  us. 

"While  we  were  singing,  there  was  one  (the  wo 
man  mentioned  in  my  journal  of  February  9.)  who  I 
may  venture  to  STIV,  was  'filled  with  joy  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory,'  and  could  not  but  burst  forth  in 
prayer  and  praises  to  G<>d  before  us  all,  with  many 
tears,  crying  sometimes  in  English,  and  sometimes 
in  Indian,  *O  blessed  Lord,  do  come,  do  come!  O  do 
take  me  away,  do  let  me  die  and  go  to  Jesus  Chris!! 
J  am  afraid  if  1  live  I  shall  sin  again!  O  do  let  me  die 
now!  O  dear  Jesus,  do  come!  I  cannot  stay,  I  cannot 
stay!  0  how  can  I  live  in  this  world!  0  let  me  never 
sin  any  more!' — In  this  cxtasy  she  continued  some 
time,  uttering  these  and  such  like  expressions  inces 
santly. 

"When  she  had  a  little  recovered,  I  asked  her,  if 
Christ  was  now  sweet  to  her  soul?  Whereupon,  turn 
ing  to  me  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  and  with  all  the  to 
kens  of  deep  humility,  she  said,  ll  have  many  times 
heard  you  speak  of  the  goodness  and  the  sweetness 
of  Christ,  that  he  was  better  than  all  the  world.  But 
O!  1  knew  nothing  what  you  meant,  I  never  believed 
you!  I  never  believed  you!  But  now  I  know  it  is 
true!' — I  answered,  and  do  you  see  enough  in  Christ 
for  the  greatest  of  sinners?  She  replied,  40  enough, 
enough!  for  all  the  sinners  in  the  world,  if  they  would 
but  come.'  And  when  I  asked  her,  if  she  could  not 
tell  them  of  the  goodness  of  Christ:  turning  herself 
about  to  some  poor  Christless  souls  who  stood  by, 
and  were  much  affected,  she  said,  «0  there  is  enough 
in  Christ  for  you,  if  you  would  but  come!  0  strive, 
strive  to  give  up  your  hearts  to  him!' — And  upon 
hearing  something  of  the  glory  of  heaven  mentioned, 
she  again  fell  into  the  same  cxtasy,  repeating  her 
former  expressions,  <0  dear  Lord,  do  let  me  go]  0 
15 


11FE    OF  BRAIXERD. 

V;hat  shall  I   do,  what  shall  1  do;  I  want  to  go  to 
Christ!  I  cannot  live!  O  do  let  me  die!' 

"She  continued  in  this  sweet  frame  for  more  than 
two  hours,  before  she  was  well  able  to  get  home. 

"I  am  sensible  there  may  be  great  joys,  where 
there  is  no  substantial  evidence  of  there  being  well 
grounded.  But  in  the  present  case  there  seemed  to 
be  no  evidence  wanting,  in  order  to  prove  this  joy  to 
be  divine,  either  in  regard  of  its  preparatives,  attend 
ants,  or  consequents. 

"Of  all  the  persons  I  have  seen,  I  scarce  ever  saw 
cue  more  bowed  and  broken  under  convictions  of  sin 
than  this  woman.  Nor  scarce  any  who  seemed  to 
have  a  greater  acquaintance  with  her  own  heart 
than  she  had.  She  would  frequently  cumplnin  to  me 
of  the  hardness  and  rebellion  of  her  heart.  That  her 
heart  was  riot  willing  to  come  to  Christ  for  salvation, 
but  tried  every  where  else  for  help. 

"And  as  she  was  remarkably  sensible  of  her  stub 
bornness  under  conviction,  so  she  appeared  to  be  no 
less  remarkably  reconciled  to  divine  grace,  before 
she  obtained  any  relief.  Since  which  she  has  con 
stantly  breathed  the  spirit  and  temper  of  a  new 
creature;  crying  after  Christ,  not  through  fear  of 
hell  as  before,  but  with  strong  desires  after  him  as 
her  only  satisfying  portion:  and  as  many  times  wept 
bitterly,  because  she  could  not  love  him. — When  1 
have  sometimes  asked  her,  why  she  appeared  so  sor 
rowful,  and  whether  it  was  because  she  was  afraid  of 
hell?  She  would  answer,  'no  I  be  not  distressed  about 
that;  but  my  heart  is  so  wicked  I  cannot  love  Christ 
and  thereupon  burst  out  into  tears. — But  although 
this  has  been  the  habitual  frame  of  her  mind  for 
several  weeks,  yet  she  never  had  any  remarkable 
comfort  till  this  evening. 

"The  attendants  of  this  comfort,  were  such  as 
abundantly  discovered  that  it  was  truly  «joy  in  the 
Holy  Ghost.'  JV<m>,  she  viewed  divine  truths  as 
living  realities;  and  could  say  <I  know  these  things 
are  so,  I  feel  they  are  true!'  now  her  soul  was  re 
signed  to  the  divine  will  in  the  most  tender  points,-  so 


LIFE    OF    BUA1NERD.  167 

that  when  I  said  to  her,  what  if  God  should  take 
away  your  husband  from  you  (who  was  then  sick,) 
how  do  you  think  you  could  bear  that?  She  replied, 
*He  belongs  to  God,  and  not  to  me:  he  may  do  with 
him  just  what  ho  pleases.' — Now  she  had  the  most 
tender  sense  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and  discovered  the 
utmost  aversion  to  it.  Now  she  could  freely  trust 
her  all  with  God  for  time  and  eternity.  An  1  when 
1  queried  with  her,  how  she  could  be  willing  to  die, 
and  leave  her  little  infant,  and  whnt  she  thought 
would  become  of  it  in  case  she  should:  She  answered, 
•God  will  take  care  of  it.  It  belongs  to  him,  he  will 
take  care  of  it.' — Now  she  appeared  to  have  the  most 
humbling  sense  of  her  own  un  worthiness  and  inability 
to  preserve  herself  from  sin,  and  to  persevere  in  ho 
liness.  And  1  thought  1  had  never  seen  such  an  ap 
pearance  of  extasy  and  humility  meeting  in  any  one 
person. 

"The  consequents  of  this  joy  are  no  less  desirable 
than  its  attendants.  She  since  appears  to  be  a  most 
tender,  broken-hearted,  affectionate,  devout,  and 
humble  Christian,  as  exemplary  in  life  and  conver 
sation  as  any  person  in  my  congregation. 

"March  10.  Towards  night  the  Indians  met  to 
gether  of  their  own  accord,  and  sang,  prayed,  and 
discoursed  of  divine  things.  At  this  time  there  was 
much  affection  among  them.  Some  appeared  to  be 
molted  with  divine  things,  and  some  others  seemed 
much  concerned  for  their  souls. 

"I  baptized  the  woman  mentioned  in  my  journal 
oflust  Lord's-day;  who  appeared  to  be  in  a  devout, 
hu;rible,  and  excellent  frame  of  mind. 

uMy  house  being  thronged  with  people  in  the 
evening,  I  spent  the  time  with  them,  till  my  nature 
was  almost  spent. — They  are  so  unwearied  in  relig 
ious  exercises,  and  insatiable  in  their  thirstings  after 
Christian  knowledge,  that  I  can  sometimes  scarce 
avoid  laboring  so,  as  greatly  to  exhaust  my  strength 
and  spirits. 

"19.  Some  of  the  persons  that  went  with  me  to 
the  Forks  of  Delaware,  having  been  detained  there 
by  the  dangerous  illness  of  one  of  their  company 


168  LIFE    OF    ERAINEliD. 

returned  home  this  day.  Whereupon  my  people  met 
together  of  their  own  accord,  to  give  thanks  to  God 
for  his  preserving  goodness  to  those  uho  had  been 
absent  from  them  (or  several  v\eeks,  and  recovering 
mercy  to  him  that  had  been  sick. 

'•Lord's-day,  March  23.  There  being  about 
fifteen  strangers,  adult  persons,  come  among  us  in 
the  week  past;  divers  of  whom  had  never  been  in  any 
religious  meeting  till  now,  I  thought  it  proper  to 
discourse  this  day  in  a  manner  peculiarly  suiled  to 
their  circumstances,  and  accordingly  attempted  it  from 
llos.  xiii,  9,  in  the  forenoon,  opening  in  the  plainest 
manner  1  could,  man's  apostacy  and  ruined  state, 
Sifter  having  spoken  some  things  respecting  the 
being  and  perfections  of  God,  and  his  creation  of 
man  in  a  state  of  uprightness  and  happiness.  In  the 
afternoon,  I  endeavored  to  open  the  glorious  provis 
ion  God  has  made  for  the  redemption  of  apostate 
creatures. 

"Near  sun-set  I  felt  an  uncommon  concern  upon 
my  mind,  e:*>pecially  for  the  poor  strangers,  1  visited 
sundry  houses,  and  discoursed  with  them  severally, 
but  without  much  appearance  of  success,  till  1  came 
to  a  house  where  divers  of  the  strangers  were,  and 
there  the  word  took  effect,  first  upon  some  children; 
then  upon  divers  adult  persons,  that  had  been  some 
what  awakened  before,  and  afterwards  upon  several 
of  the  pagan  strangers. 

"I  continued  my  discourse  till  almost  every  one 
in  the  house  was  mehed  into  tears,  and  divers  v\ept 
aloud,  arid  appeared  earnestly  conncerncd  to  obtain 
an  interest  in  Christ.  Upon  this  numbers  soon  gath 
ered  from  all  the  houses  round  about,  and  so  thronged 
the  place,  that  w  e  were  obliged  to  remov  e  to  the  house 
where  we  usually  meet  for  public  worship.  And  the 
congregation  gathered  immediately,  and  many  ap 
pearing  remarkably  affected,  1  discoursed  some  time 
from  Luke  xix,  10,  endeavoring  to  open  the  mercy, 
compassion,  and  concern  of  Christ  for  lost,  helpless, 
and  undone  sinners. 


OF   BRAINERD.  169 

"There  was  much  visible  concern  in  the  assembly; 
and  I  doubt  not  but  a  divine  influence  accompanied 
what  was  spoken  to  the  hearts  of  many.  There 
Mere  live  or  six  of  the  strangers  (men  and  women) 
who  appeared  to  be  considerably  awakened.  And 
in  particular  one  very  rugged  young  man,  who 
seemed  as  if  nothing  would  move  him,  was  now 
brought  to  tremble  like  the  jailor,  and  weep  for  a 
long  time. 

««The  pagans  that  were  awakened  seemed  at  once 
to  put  off'  their  savage  roughness,  and  became  socia 
ble,  orderly,  and  humane.  When  they  first  came, 
I  exhorted  my  people  to  take  pains  with  them  (as 
they  had  done  with  other  strangers  from  time  to  time) 
to  instruct  them  in  Christianity.  But  when  some  of 
them  attempted  it,  the  strangers  would  soon  rise  up 
and  walk  to  other  houses.  Whereupon  some  of  the 
serious  persons  agreed  to  disperse  themselves  into 
the  several  parts  of  the  settlement.  So  that  wherev 
er  the  strangers  went,  they  met  with  warm  addresses 
respecting  their  soul's  concern.  But  now  there  was 
no  need  of  using  policy  in  order  to  get  an  opportu 
nity  of  conversing  with  them;  for  they  were  so 
touched  with  a  sense  of  their  perishing  state,  as 
tamely  to  yield  to  the  closest  addresses,  respecting 
their  sin  and  misery,  and  their  need  of  an  acquaint 
ance  with  the  great  Redeemer. 

"24.  I  numbered  the  Indians,  to  see  how  many 
souls  God  had  gathered  together  here,  since  my 
coming:  and  found  there  was  now  about  an  hundred 
and  thirty  persons,  old  and  young.  And  sundry  of 
those  that  are  my  stated  hearers,  perhaps  fifteen  or 
twenty,  were  absent  at  this  season.  Whereas  few 
were  together  at  my  first  coming  into  these  parts, 
the  whole  number  not  amounting  to  ten  persons. 

<<My  people  going  out  this  day  to  clear  some  of 
their  lands,  about  fifteen  miles  distant,  in  order  to 
their  settling  there  together,  where  they  might  attend 
the  public  worship  of  God,  have  their  children 
schooled,  and  at  the  same  time  have  a  conveniency 
for  planting;  I  thought  it  proper  to  call  them  toeetfN 
#15 


170  LIFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

er,  and  show  them  the  duty  of  laboring  with  faithful 
ness  and  industry;  and  that  they  must  not  now  *be 
slothful  in  business,'  as  they  had  ever  been  in  their 
pagan  state.  And  having  given  them  directions  for 
their  work,  and  recommended  them  to  God,  1  dis 
missed  them  to  their  business. 

"In  the  evening  I  read  and  expounded  the  sub 
stance  of  the  third  chapter  of  the  Acts.  Numbers 
seemed  to  melt  under  the  word.  When  I  asked  them 
afterwards,  whether  they  did  not  now  feel  that  their 
hearts  were  wicked?  One  replied,  *yfs,  she  felt  it 
now.*  Although  before  she  came  here,  she  had 
said,  'her  heart  was  not  wicked,  and  she  never  had 
done  anything  that  was  bad  in  her  life.'  And  this 
indeed  seems  to  be  the  case  with  them  universally,  in 
the  pagan  state. 

"They  seem  to  have  no  consciousness  of  sin  and 
guilt  unless  they  can  charge  themselves  with  some 
gross  acts  of  sin. 

"25.  After  the  Indians  were  gone  to  their  work, 
1  got  alone  and  poured  out  my  soul  to  God,  that  he 
would  smile  upon  these  feeble  beginnings,  and  that 
he  w?ou)d  settle  an  Indian  town  that  might  be  the 
mountain  of  holiness;  and  found  my  soul  much  re 
freshed  and  much  enlarged  in  Zion's  interest,  and 
lor  numbers  of  dear  friends  in  particular.  My  sink 
ing  spirits  were  revived,  and  I  felt  animated  in  the 
service  God  has  called  me  to.  This  was  the  dearest 
hour  1  have  enjoyed  for  many  days,  if  not  weeks.  I 
found  an  encouraging  hope  that  something  would  be 
done  for  God,  and  that  God  would  use  and  help  me 
in  his  work.  And  oh,  how  sweet  were  the  thoughts 
of  laboring  for  God  when  1  had  any  hope  that  ever  I 
should  be  successful!" 

The  next  day,  his  schoolmaster  was  taken  skk 
with  a  pleurisy;  and  he  spent  great  part  of  the  re 
mainder  of  this  week  in  attending  to  him:  which 
in  his  weak  state  was  almost  too  much  for  him:  he 
being  obliged  constantly  to  wait  upon  him,  all  day, 
from  day  to  day,  and  to  lie  on  the  floor  at  night.  His 


WFJB    Or   UHAINERD.  171 

spirits  sunk  in  a  considerable  degree,  with  his  bodily 
strength,  under  this  burden. 

"29.  In  the  evening  I  catechised  as  usual. 
Treating  upon  the  'benefits  which  believers  receive 
from  Christ's  death.'  The  questions  were  answered 
with  great  readiness  and  propriety.  And  those  who 
1  have  reason  to  think,  are  the  people  of  God,  were 
sweetly  melted  in  general.  There  appeared  such  a 
liveliness  and  vigor  in  their  attendance  upon  the  word 
of  God,  and  such  eagerness  to  be  made  partakers  of 
the  benefits  then  mentioned,  that  they  seemed  to  be 
not  only  looking  for,  but  hastening  to  the  coming 
of  the  day  of  God.'  Divine  truths  seemed  to  dis 
til  upon  the  audience  with  a  gentle,  but  melting  effi 
cacy,  as  the  refreshing  'showers  upon  the  new  mown 
grass.'  The  assembly  in  general,  as  well  as  those 
who  appear  to  be  truly  religious,  were  affected  with 
an  account  of  the  blessedness  of  the  godly  at 
death;  and  most  then  discovered  an  affectionate  in 
clination  to  cry,  'let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous.' 

«'3l.  1  called  my  people  together,  as  I  had  done 
the  Monday  morning  before,  and  discoursed  to  them 
again  on  the  necessity  of  their  laboring  industri 
ously,  in  order  to  their  living  together  and  enjoying 
the  means  of  grace.  And  having  engaged  in  solemn 
prayer  to  God  among  them,  I  dismissed  them  to  their 
work. 

"Numbers  of  them  (both  men  and  women)  offered 
themselves  willingly  to  this  service:  and  some 
appeared  affectionately  concerned  that,  God  might 
go  with  them,  and  begin  their  little  town  for  them; 
that  by  his  blessing  it  might  be  a  place  comfortable 
for  them,  and  theirs,  in  regard  both  of  procuring  the 
necessaries  of  life,  and  of  attending  the  worship  of 
God. 

"April  2.  I  was  exercised  with  a  spiritless  frame 
of  mind.  Alas!  my  days  pass  away  as  the  chaff !  it 
is  but  little  1  do,  or  can  do,  that  turns  to  any  account; 
and  it  is  my  constant  misery  and  burden,  that  I  am 
so  fruitless  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  Oh  that  I 
were  spirit,  that  1  might  be  active  for  God.  This 


172  MFE  OF  BRAINEEB. 

more  than  any  thing  else,  makes  me  long,  that  'this 
corruptible  might  put  on  incorruption,  and  this  mor 
tal  put  on  immortality.'  God  deliver  me  from  clogs, 
fetters,  and  a  body  of  death,  that  impede  my  service 
for  him. 

"5.  After  public  worship  a  number  of  my  dear 
Christian  Indians  came  to  my  house;  with  whom  1 
felt  a  sweet  union  in  soul;  my  heart  was  knit  to 
them;  and  I  cannot  say,  I  have  felt  such  a  sweet  and 
fervent  love  to  the  brethren,  for  some  time  past:  and 
I  saw  in  them  appearances  of  the  same  love;  this  gave 
me  something  of  a  view  of  the  heavenly  state;  and 
particularly  that  part  of  the  happiness  of  heaven, 
which  consists  in  the  communion  of  saints. 

"Lord's-day,  6.  I  preached  from  Matt,  vii,  21 — 
23.  There  were  considerable  effects  of  the  word 
visible  in  the  audience:  and  earnest  attention,  a  great 
solemnity,  many  tears  and  sighs.  Divers  were  put 
upon  serious  and  close  examination  of  their  spiritual 
state  by  hearing  that  'not  every  one  that  saith  to 
Christ,  Lord,  Lord,  shall  enter  into  his  kingdom.' 
And  some  of  them  expressed  fears  lest  they  had  de 
ceived  themselves,  and  taken  up  a  false  hope,  because 
they  had  done  so  little  of  the  'will  of  his  Father  who 
is  in  heaven.' 

"There  was  also  one  man  brought  under  pressing 
concern  for  his  soul;  which  appeared  more  especially 
after  his  retirement  from  public  worship.  And  that 
which,  he  says,  gave  him  the  greatest  uneasiness, 
was,  not  so  much  any  particular  sin,  as  that  he  had 
never  done  the  will  of  God  at  all,  and  so  had  no 
claim  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

"In  the  afternoon  I  opened  to  them  the  discipline 
of  Christ  in  his  church,  and  the  method  in  which 
offenders  are  to  be  dealt  with.  At  which  time  relig 
ious  people  were  much  affected,  especially  when  they 
heard,  that  the  offender  continuing  obstinate,  must 
finally  be  esteemed  «as  an  heathen  man,'  that  has  no 
part  nor  lot  among  God's  visible  people.  This  they 
seemed  to  have  the  most  awful  apprehensions  of:  a 


LIFE  OF  BEAINERD.  173 

state  of  heathenism,  out  of  which  they  were  so  lately 
brought,  appearing  very  dreadful  to  them. 

'•After  public  worship  1  visited  sundry  houses  to 
see  how  they  spent  the  remainder  of  the  sabbath, 
and  to  treat  with  them  solemnly  on  the  great  concerns 
of  their  souls;  and  the  Lord  seemed  to  smile  upon 
my  endeavors,  and  to  make  these  particular  addres 
ses  more  effectual  than  my  public  discourses. 

4t7.  1  discoursed  to  my  people  from  1  Cor.  xi, 
23 — 26,  and  endeavored  to  open  to  them  the  institu 
tion,  nature,  and  ends  of  the  Lord's  supper,  as  well 
as  the  qualifications  and  preparations  necessary  to 
the  right  participation  of  that  ordinance. — Sundry 
persons  appeared  much  affected  with  the  love  of 
Christ  manifested  in  his  making  this  provision  for 
the  comfort  of  his  people,  at  a  season  when  himself 
was  just  entering  upon  his  sharpest  sufferings." 

On  Tuesday,  he  went  to  a  meeting  of  the  1'resby- 
tery  appointed  at  JElizabcthtown.  In  his  way  thither, 
he  enjoyed  some  sweet  meditations;  but  after  became 
there,  he  was,  as  he  expresses  it,  under  an  awful 
gloom,  that  oppressed  his  mind.  And  this  continued 
till  Saturday  evening,  when  he  began  to  have  some 
relief.  lie  spent  the  Sabbath  at  Staten  island;  where 
he  preached  to  an  assembly  of  Dutch  and  English, 
and  enjoyed  considerable  refreshment  and  comfort, 
both  in  public  and  private.  In  the  evening  he  re 
turned  to  Elizabethtown. 

"14.  My  spirits  were  raised  and  refreshed,  and 
my  mind  composed,  so  that  I  was  in  a  comfortable 
frame  of  soul  most  of  the  day.  in  the  evening  my 
head  was  clear,  my  mind  serene;  I  enjoyed  sweet 
ness  in  secret  prayer  and  meditation.  O,  how  free, 
how  comfortable,  cheerful  and  yet  solemn,  do  I  feel 
when  I  am  in  a  good  measure  freed  from  those  damps 
and  melancholy  glooms,  that  1  often  labor  under! 

"15.  My  soul  longed  for  more  spirituality:  and  it 
was  my  burden,  that  1  could  do  no  more  for  God. 
Oh,  my  barrenness  is  my  daily  affliction!  Oh  how 
precious  is  time,  and  how  it  pains  me,  to  see  it  slide 
away,  while  I  do  so  very  little  to  any  good  purpose! 


174  LIFE    OF   BKAINEED. 

Oh  that  God  would  make  ine  more  fruitful  and  spir 
itual, 

"17.  I  enjoyed  some  comfort  in  prayer,  some 
freedom  in  meditation,  and  composure  in  my  studies. 
1  spent  sometime  in  writing,  in  the  forenoon,  and  in 
the  afternoon  in  conversation  with  several  dear  min 
isters.  In  the  evening  1  preached  from  i'sai.  Jxxiii, 
28,  <But  it  is  good  for  me  to  draw  near  to  God.'  God 
helped  me  to  feel  the  truth  of  my  text,  both  in  the 
first  prayer  arid  in  sermon.  I  was  enahled  to  pour 
out  my  soul  to  God  with  great  freedom,  fervency, 
and  affection,  and  to  speak  with  tenderness,  and  yet 
with  faithfulness:  and  divine  truths  seemed  to  fall 
with  weight  and  influence  upon  the  hearers.  My 
heart  was  melted  for  the  dear  assembly,  and  1  loved 
every  body  in  it;  and  scarce  ever  felt  more  love  to 
immortal  souls  in  my  life;  my  soul  cried,  40h  that 
the  j-dear  creatures  might  be  saved!  0  that  God 
would  have  mercy  on  them!' 

"Lord's-day,  20.^  I  enjoyed  some  freedom,  and 
exercise  of  faith  and  prayer,  in  the  morning;  espe 
cially  when  I  came  to  pray  for  Zion.  I  was  free 
from  that  gloomy  discouragement,  that  so  often  op 
presses  my  mind;  and  my  soul  rejoiced  in  the  hopes 
of  Zion's  prosperity,  and  the  enlargement  of  the 
dear  kingdom  of  the  great  Redeemer. 

"21.  I  was  composed  and  comfortable  most  of 
the  day;  free  from  those  gloomy  damps  that  I  am 
frequently  exercised  with:  had  freedom  and  comfort 
in  prayer,  several  times;  especially  for  Zion's  en 
largement  and  prosperity.  And  oh,  how  refreshing 
were  these  hopes  to  my  soul!  oh  that  the  kingdom  of 
the  dear  Lord  might  come. 

"April  22.  My  mind  was  remarkably  free  from 
melancholy  damps,  and  animated  in  my  work.  1 
found  such  fresh  vigor  and  resolution  in  the  service 
of  God,  that  the  mountains  seemed  to  become  a  plain 
before  me.  Oh,  blessed  be  God  for  an  interval  of 
refreshment,  and  fervent  resolution  in  my  Lord's 

"  This  day  he  entered  into  the  twenty-ninth  year  of  his  ag«. 


LIFE   Or   BRAINERD.  175 

work!  In  the  evening,  my  soul  was  refreshed  in  se 
cret  prayer,  and  my  heart  drawn  out  for  divine  bles 
sings;  especially  for  the  church  of  God,  and  his  in 
terest  among  my  own  people,  and  for  dear  friends 
in  remote  places.  Oh  that  Zion  might  prosper,  and 
precious  souls  be  brought  home  to  God! 

"April  25.  Having  appointed  the  next  Lord's-day 
for  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  supper,  this  day 
was  set  apart  for  solemn  fasting  and  prayer,  to  im 
plore  the  blessing  of  God  upon  our  design  of  nenew- 
ing  our  covenant  with  him,  and  with  one  another; 
and  to  intreat  that  his  divine  presence  might  be  with 
us  in  our  designed  approach  to  his  table. 

"The  solemnity  was  observed,  not  only  by  those 
who  proposed  to  communicate,  but  by  the  whole  con 
gregation.  In  the  former  part  of  the  day,  I  endeav 
ored  to  open  to  my  people  the  nature  of  a  fast,  and 
to  instruct  them  in  the  duties  of  such  a  solemnity. — 
In  the  afternoon,  I  insisted  upon  the  special  reasons 
there  were  for  our  now  engaging  in  these  solemn 
exercises;  both  in  regard  of  the  need  we  stood  in 
of  divine  assistance,  in  order  to  a  due  preparation 
for  the  sacred  ordinance:  and  in  respect  of  the  man 
ifest  decline  of  God's  work  here,  as  to  the  effectual 
conviction  and  conversion  of  sinners,  there  having 
been  few  of  late  deeply  awakened  out  of  a  state  of 
security. 

"The  worship  of  God  was  attended  with  great 
solemnity  and  reverence,  with  much  tenderness  and 
many  tears,  by  the  truly  religious;  and  there  was 
some  appearance  of  divine  power  upon  those  who 
had  been  awakened  some  time  before. 

"After  repeated  prayer  and  attendance  upon  the 
word  of  God,  I  led  them  to  a  solemn  renewal  of  their 
baptismal  covenant,  wherein  they  had  explicitly  and 
jpublicly  given  up  themselves  to  God, — Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Ghost,  avouching  him  to  be  their  God;  and 
at  the  same  time  renouncing  their  heathenish  van 
ities,  their  idolatrous  and  superstitious  practices, 
and  solemnly  engaging  to  take  the  word  of  God  for 
4he  rule  of  their  lives,  promising  to  walk  together  in 


176  LIFE    OF   BRAINETID. 

love,  to  watch  over  themselves,  and  one  another;  to 
lead  lives  of  seriousness  ami  devotion,  and  to  dis 
charge  the  relative  duties  incumbent  upon  them. 

«»This  solemn  transaction  was  attended  with  much 
seriousness;  and  at  the  same  time  with  the  utirost 
readiness  and  cheerfulness;  and  an  union  and  har 
mony  of  soul  seemed  to  crown  the  whole. 

"In  the  evening  I  catechised  those  that  were  de 
signed  to  partake  of  the  Lord's  supper  the  next  day, 
upon  the  institution,  nature,  and  end  of  that  ordi 
nance,  and  had  abundant  satisfaction  respecting  their 
knowledge.  They  likewise  appeared,  in  general,  to 
have  an  affecting  sense  of  the  solemnity  of  this  sa 
cred  ordinance,  and  to  be  humbled  under  a  sense  of 
their  own  unworthiness  to  approach  to  God  in  it; 
and  earnestly  concerned  that  they  may  be  duly  pre- 
parvd  for  an  attendance  upon  it.  Their  hearts  were 
full  of  love  one  toward  another;  and  that  was  the 
frame  of  mind  they  seemed  much  concerned  to  main 
tain,  and  bring  to  the  Lord's  table  with  them. 

<*i  administered  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  sup 
per  to  twenty-three  persons  of  the  Indians  (the  num 
ber  of  men  and  women  being  nearly  equal;)  divers 
others,  to  the  number  of  five  or  six,  being  now  ab 
sent  at  the  Forks  of  Delaware. 

"The  ordinance  was  attended  with  great  solem 
nity,  and  with  a  most  desirable  tenderness  and  affec 
tion.  And  it  was  remarkable,  that  in  the  perform 
ance  of  the  sacramental  actions,  especially  in  the 
distribution  of  the  bread,  they  seemed  to  be  affected 
in  a  most  lively  manner,  as  if,  4Christ  had  been'  re 
ally  'crucified  before  them.'  And  the  words  of  the 
institution,  when  repeated  and  enlarged  upon,  sccrn- 
ed  to  be  entertainod  with  the  same  full  and  firm  be 
lief,  and  affectionate  engagement  of  soul,  as  if  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself  had  personally  spoken  to 
them. 

"Having  rested  some  time  after  the  administration 
of  the  sacrament,  1  walked  from  house  to  house,  and 
conversed  particularly  with  most  of  the  communi 
cants,  and  found  they  had  been  almost  universally 


LIFE    OF   BRAINEKD.  1T7 

refreshed  at  the  Lord's  table  <as  with  new  wine.' 
And  never  did  I  see  such  an  appearance  of  Christian 
love  among  any  people  in  all  my  life.  It  was  so  re 
markable,  that  one  might  well  have  cried,  with  an 
agreeable  surprise,  ^Behold,  how  they  love  one 
another!' 

"Toward  night  I  discoursed  on  Titus  ii,  14,  and 
insisted  on  the  immediate  design  of  Christ's  death, 
viz.  <That  he  might  redeem  his  people  from  all  ini 
quity.' 

"This  appeared  to  be  a  season  of  divine  power. 
The  religious  people  were  much  refreshed,  and  seem 
ed  remarkably  tender  and  affectionate,  full  of  love, 
joy,  peace,  and  desires  of  being  completely  Adeemed 
from  all  iniquity;'  so  that  some  of  them  afterwards 
told  me  Hhvy  had  never  felt  the  like  before.'  Con 
victions  also  appeared  to  be  revived  in  many  instan 
ces;  and  divers  persons  were  awakened  whom  I  had 
never  observed  under  any  religious  impressions 
before. 

"Such  was  the  influence  that  attended  our  assem 
bly,  that  it  seemed  grievous  to  conclude  the  public 
worship.  And  the  congregation,  when  dismissed, 
although  it  was  then  almost  dark,  appeared  loth  to 
leave  the  place  that  had  been  rendered  so  dear  to 
them  by  the  benefits  enjoyed,  while  that  quickening 
influence  distilled  upon  them. 

"28.  I  concluded  the  solemnity  with  a  discourse 
upon  John  xi  v,  1 5,  *  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  command 
ments.'  At  which  time  there  appeared  great  tender 
ness  in  the  audience  in.  general,  but  especially  in  the 
communicants.  O  how  free,  how  engaged  and  affec 
tionate  did  these  appear  in  the  service  of  God!  They 
seemed  willing  to  have  their  'ears  bored  to  the  door 
posts  of  God's  house,'  and  to  be  his  servants  for 
ever. 

"Observing  numbers  in  this  excellent  frame,  I 
thought  it  proper  to  improve  this  advantageous  sea 
son,  as  Hezekiah  did  his  great  passover  (2  Chron. 
xxxi,)  in  order  to  promote  the  blessed  reformation 
begun  among  them,  and  accordingly  proposed  to  them 
16 


3  7%  XIFE  OF  BRAINERB. 

that  they  should  renewedly  enter  into  covenant  be 
fore  God,  that  they  would  watch  over  themselves, 
and  one  another.  And  especially  that  they  would 
watch  against  the  sin  of  drunkenness  (the  sin  that 
easily  besets  them.)  They  cheerfully  complied  with 
the  proposal,  and  explicitly  joined  in  that  covenant: 
whereupon  1  proceeded,  in  the  most  solemn  manner, 
to  call  God  to  witness  their  sacred  engagement, 
minded  them  of  the  greatness  of  the  guilt  they  would 
contract  in  the  violation  of  it,  and  that  God  would  be 
a  terrible  witness  against  those  who  should  presume 
to  do  so  in  the  'great  and  notable  day  of  the  Lord.' 

"It  was  a  season  of  amazing  solemnity,  and  a  di 
vine  awe  appeared  upon  the  face  of  the  whole  assembly ! 
Affectionate  sighs  and  tears  were  frequent  in  the  au 
dience:  and  1  doubt  not  but  many  silent  cries  were 
sent  up  to  the  fountain  of  grace,  for  grace  sufficient 
to  these  solemn  engagements." 

On  Tuesday  he  went  to  Elizabethtown  to  attend 
the  meeting  of  the  presbytery,  and  spent  the  time, 
while  t.bsen  from  this  people,  in  a  free  and  comfort 
able  state  of  mind* 

"May  3.  1  rode  from  Elizabethtown  home  to  my 
people  at  Cranberry;  whither  they  are  now  removed, 
and  where  I  hope  God  will  settle  them  as  a  Chris 
tian  congregation.  I  was  refreshed  in  lifting  up  my 
Iieart  to  God  while  riding,  and  enjoyed  a  thankful 
frame  of  spirit. 

6<4.  My  people  having  now  removed  to  their 
lands,  1  this  day  visited  them,  and  preached  to  them 
from  Mark  iv,  5.  Endeavoring  to  show  the  reason 
there  was  to  fear,  lest  many  hopeful  beginnings  in 
religion  might  prove  abortive,  like  the<seed  dropped 
upon  stony  places.5 

"5.  I  visited  them  again,  and  took  care  of  their 
worldly  concerns,  giving  them  directions  relating  to 
their  business. 

"I  daily  discover  more  and  more  of  what  import 
ance  it  is  to  their  religious  interests  that  they  be 
come  industrious,  acquainted  with  the  affairs  of  hus 
bandry,  and  able,  in  a  good  measure,  to  raise  the 


LIFE    OF    BRAINERD. 

necessaries  of  life  within  themselves,  for  their  pres 
ent  method  of  living  greatly  exposes  them  to  tempta 
tions  of  various  kinds. 

"7.  I  spent  most  of  the  day  in  writing,  as  usual, 
and  enjoyed  some  freedom  in  my  work.  1  was  favor 
ed  with  some  comfortable  meditations  this  day;  and 
in  the  evening,  was  in  a  sweet  composed  frame  of 
mind:  pleased  and  delighted  to  leave  all  with  God, 
respecting  myself,  for  time  and  eternity,  and  respect 
ing  the  people  of  my  charge  and  dear  friends:  I  had 
no  doubt  but  that  God  would  take  care  of  me,  and 
of  his  own  interest  among  my  people:  and  was  en 
abled  to  use  freedom  in  prayer,  as  a  child  with  a 
tender  father. 

"8.  In  the  evening  I  was  refreshed  and  enjoyed  a 
tender  nicking  frame  in  secret  prayer,  wherein  my 
soul  was  drawn  out  for  the  interest  of  /ion,  and  com 
forted  with  the  lively  hope  of  the  appearing  of  the 
kingdom  of  the  great  Redeemer.  These  were  sweet 
moments:  I  felt  almost  lotii  to  go  to  bed,  and  grieved 
that  sleep  was  necessary.  However,  F  lay  down 
with  a  tender  reverential  fear  of  God,  sensible  that 
'his  favor  is  life,'  and  his  smiles  better  than  all 
that  earth  can  boast  of,  infinitely  better  than  life  it 
self. 

"9.  J  preached  from  John  v,  40,  in  the  open  wil 
derness;  the  Indians  having  as  yet  no  house  for  pub 
lic  worship  in  this  place,  nor  scarce  any  shelter  for 
themselves.  Divine  truth  made  considerable  impres 
sions  upon  the  audience,  and  it  was  a  season  of  solem 
nity,  tenderness,  and  affection. 

**i  baptized  one  man  this  day  (the  conjurer  and 
murderer  mentioned  before.)  who  appears  to  be 
such  a  remarkable  instance  of  divine  grace,  that  I 
cannot  omit  some  brief  account  of  him. 

"He  lived  near,  and  sometimes  attended  me  in  the 
Forks  of  Delaware  for  more  than  a  year  together: 
but  was  extremely  attached  to  strong  drink,  and 
seemed  to  be  no  ways  reformed  by  the  means  I  used 
with  him.  In  this  time  he  likewise  murdered  a  young 
Indian,  which  threw  him  into  a  kind  of  horror  and 


1IFE    OF    BRAIKERB. 

desperation;  so  that  he  kept  at  a  distance  from 
and  refused  to  hear  me  preach  for  several  months 
together,  till  1  had  an  opportunity  of  conversing  free 
ly  with  him,  and  giving  him  encouragement,  that 
his  sin  might  be  forgiven  for. Christ's  sake. 

"But  that  which  was  the  worst,  was  his  conjura 
tions.  He  was  one  of  them  who  are  called  powwows 
among  the  Indians:  and  notwithstanding  his  fre 
quent  attendance  upon  my  preaching,  he  still  follow 
ed  his  old  charms,  'giving  out  that  he  himself  was 
some  great  one,  and  to  him  they  gave  heed,'  suppos 
ing  him  to  be  possessed  of  a  great  power.  So  that 
when  I  have  instructed  them  respecting  the  miracles 
wrought  by  Christ,  and  mentioned  them  as  evidences 
of  his  divine  mission,  they  have  quickly  observed 
the  wonders  of  that  kind  which  this  man  had  per 
formed  by  his  magic  charms;  whence  they  had  a 
high  opinion  of  him,  which  seemed  to  be  a  fatal  ob 
struction  to  their  receiving  the  gospel.  And  1  often 
thought  it  would  be  a  great  favor  to  the  Indians  if 
God  would  take  that  wretch  out  of  the  world:  but 
God  only,  whose  'thoughts  are  not  as  man's  thoughts,5 
lias  been  pleased  to  take  a  much  more  desirable 
method;  a  method  agreeable  to  his  own  merciful  na 
ture,  and  1  trust  advantageous  to  his  own  interest 
among  the  Indians,  as  well  as  to  the  poor  soul  him 
self. 

"The  first  genuine  concern  for  his  soul  that  ever 
appeared  in  him  was  excited  hy  seeing  my  interpre 
ter  and  his  wife  baptized  at  the  Forks  of  Delaware, 
July  21,  1745.  Which  so  prevailed  upon  him  that 
he  followed  me  down  to  Crosweeksung,  in  the  begin- 
ing  of  August,  in  order  to  hear  me  preach,  and  there 
continued  for  several  weeks,  in  the  season  of  the 
most  powerful  awakenings  among  the  Indians,  at 
which  time  lie  was  more  effectually  awakened:  and 
then,  upon  this  'feeling  the  word  of  God  in  his  heart' 
(as  he  expresses  it,)  his  spirit  of  conjuration  left  him 
entirely;  that  he  has  had  no  more  power  of  that  na 
ture  since  than  any  other  man.  And  he  declares, 
that  he  dues  not  so  much  as  know  how  he  used  to  charm 


OF   BRAItfEKD.  181 

and  conjure;  and  that  he  could  not  do  any  thing  of 
that  nature  if  he  was  ever  so  desirous. 

"He  continued  under  convictions  all  the  fall  and 
former  part  of  the  winter  past,  but  was  not  so  deeply 
exercised  till  January;  and  then  the  word  of  God  took 
such  hold  upon  him,  lhat  he  knew  not  what  to  do, 
nor  whereto  turn,  lie  told  me,  that  when  he  used 
to  hear  me  preach,  from  time  to  time,  in  the  fall  of 
the  year,  my  preaching  pricked  his  heart,  but  did  not 
bring  him  to  so  great  distress,  because  he  still 
hoped  he  could  do  something  for  his  own  relief:  but 
now,  he  said,  1  drove  him  up  into  'such  a  sharp  cor 
ner'  that  he  had  no  way  to  turn. 

"He  continued  constantly  under  the  heavy  burden 
of  a  wounded  spirit,  till  at  length  he  was  brought  in 
to  the  utmost  agony  of  soul. 

"After  tiiis  he  was  brought  to  a  kind  of  calmness; 
his  heavy  burden  was  removed,  and  he  appeared  per 
fectly  sedate,  although  he  had  no  sure  hope  of  salva 
tion.  I  observed  him  to  appear  remarkably  compos 
ed,  and  thereupon  asked  him  how  he  did?  He  replied, 
(\t  is  done,  it  is  done,  it  is  all  done  now.'  I  asked 
him  what  he  meant?  He  answered,  <l  can  never  do 
any  more  to  save  myself;  it  is  all  done  fop  ever,  I 
can  do  no  more.'  L  queried  with  him,  whether  he 
could  not  do  a  little  more  rather  than  go  to  hell? 
He  replied,  *my  heart  is  dead,  I  can  never  help  my 
self.'  1  asked  him  what  he  thought  would  become  of 
him  then?  He  answered,  »l  must  go  to  hell.'  I  asked 
him,  if  he  thought  it  was  right  that  God  should  send 
him  to  hell?  He  replied,  «0  it  is  right  The  devil 
has  been  in  me  ever  since  I  was  born.'  I  asked  him,  if 
he  felt  this  when  lie  was  in  such  great  distress  the  eve 
ning  before?  He  answered,  *HO,  I  did  not  then  think 
it  was  right.  1  thought  God  would  send  me  to  hell, 
and  that  I  was  then  dropping  into  it;  but  my  heart 
quarrelled  with  God,  and  would  not  say  it  was  right, 
he  should  send  rne  (here.  But  now  1  know  it  is  right 
for  T  have  always  served  the.  devil,  and  my  heart  has 
no  goodness  in  it  now,  but  it  is  as  bad  as  ever  it  was.* 
1  thought  1  had  scarce  ever  seen  any  person  more 
#16 


182  :LIFE  or  BRAINERD. 

effectually  brought  off  from  a  dependence  upon  bis 
own  endeavors  tor  salvation. 

"In  this  frame  of  mind  be  continued  for  several 
days,  passing  sentence  of  condemnation  upon  himself* 
and  constantly  owning,  that  it  would  be  right  lie 
should  be  damned,  and  that  he  expected  this  would  be 
his  portion.  And  yet  it  was  plain  he  had  a  secret  hope 
of  mercy,  which  kept  him  not  only  from  despair,  but 
from  pressing  distress;  so  that,  instead  of  being  sad 
and  dejected,  bis  very  countenance  appeared  pleasant 
and  agreeable. 

4<ilt  was  remarkable  in  this  season  that  he  seemed 
to  have  a  great  love  to  the  people  of  God,  and 
nothing  affected  him  so  much  as  the  thoughts  of  be 
ing  separated  from  them.  This  seemed  to  be  a  very 
dreadful  part  of  the  hell  bethought  himself  doomed 
to.  It  was  likewise  remarkable,  that  in  this  season 
he  was  most  diligent  in  the  use  of  all  the  means 
for  his  soul's  salvation,  although  he  had  the  clearest 
view  of  the  insufficiency  of  means  to  afford  him  help. 

"After  he  had  continued  in  this  frame  of  mind 
more  than  a  week,  while  I  was  discoursing  publicly, 
he  seemed  to  have  a  lively  view  of  the  excellency  of 
Christ,  and  the  way  of  salvation  by  him,  which  melt 
ed  him  into  tears,  and  filled  him  with  admiration, 
comfort,  and  praise  to  God;  since  which  he  has  ap 
peared  to  be  an  humble,  devoted,  and  affectionate 
Christian;  serious  and  exemplary  in  his  conversation 
and  behavior,  frequently  complaining  of  bis  barren 
ness,  his  want  of  spiritual  warmth,  life,  and  activity, 
and  yet  frequently  favored  with  quickening  influen 
ces.  And  in  all  respects  he  bears  the  marks  of  one 
'created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus  to  good  works.' 

"His  zeal  for  the  cause  of  God  was  pleasing  to  me, 
when  he  was  with  me  at  the  Forks  of  Delasvare  in 
February  last.  There  being  an  old  Indian  at  the 
place,  who  threatened  to  bewitch  me  and  my  people 
who  accompanied  me;  this  man  presently  challenged 
him  to  do  his  worst,  telling  him,  that  himself  had 
been  as  great  a  conjurer  as  he,  and  that  notwith 
standing  as  soon  as  he  felt  that  word  in  his  heart 
which  these  people  lored,  his  power  of  conjuring  im- 


XIFE    OF   BUAINE11D.  183 

mediately  left  him.  <And  so  it  would  you,' said  be,  'if 
you  did  but  once  feel  it  in  your  heart;  and  you  have 
no  power  to  hurt  them,  not  so  much  as  to  touch  one 
of  them.' 

"May  10.  I  rode  to  Allen'stown,  to  assist  in  the 
administration  of  the  Lord's  supper.  In  the  after 
noon  1  preached  from  Tit.  ii,  14.  God  was  pleased 
to  carry  me  through  with  some  freedom;  and  yet  to 
deny  me  that  enlargement  1  longed  for.  In  the 
evening  my  soul  mourned  that  1  had  treated  so  ex 
cellent  a  subject  in  so  defective  a  manner.  And  if 
my  discourse  had  met  with  the  utmost  applause  from 
all  the  world,  it  would  not  have  given  me  any  satisfac 
tion.  Oh,  it  grieved  me  to  think,  that!  had  no  more 
holy  warmth,  that  I  had  been  no  more  melted  in  dis 
coursing  of  Christ's  death,  and  the  design  of  it!  Af 
terwards,  I  enjoyed  freedom  arid  fervency  in  secret 
and  family  prayer,  and  longed  much  for  the  presence 
of  God  to  attend  his  word  and  ordinances  the  next 
day. 

"Lord's  day,  If.  I  assisted  in  the  administration 
of  the  Lord's  supper,  but  enjoyed  little  enlargement. 
In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  the  house  of  God  weak 
and  sick  in  soul,  as  well  as  feeble  in  body;  and 
longed  that  the  people  might  be  edified  with  divine 
truths;  and  that  an  honest  fervent  testimony  might 
be  borne  for  God;  but  knew  not  how  it  was  possible 
for  me  to  do  any  thing  of  that  kind  to  any  good  pur 
pose.  Yet  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  was  pleased 
to  give  me  assistance,  both  in  prayer  and  preaching: 
God  helped  me  to  wrestle  fur  his  presence  in  prayer, 
and  to  tell  him  that  he  had  promised,  < where  two  or 
three  are  met  together  in  his  name,  there  he  would 
be  in  the  midst  of  them;'  and  pleaded,  that  for  his 
truth's  sake  he  would  be  with  us.  And  blessed  be 
God,  it  was  sweet  to  my  soul  thus  to  plead  and  rely 
on  God's  promises.  I  discoursed  upon  Luke  ix,  SO. 
<And  behold  there  talked  with 'him  two  men,  which 
were  Moses  and  Ellas,  who  appeared  in  glory,  and 
spake  of  his  decease  which  he  should  accomplish  at 
Jerusalem.'  I  enjoyed  special  freedom  from  th® 


184  tlFS    O 

beginning  to  the  rwf  of  r  y   i  •>«.     Things  pef- 

tiuent  Jo  tiie  ss.'hje:1!  \ve-v  aHai  ui'Jv  ^resented  to 
my  view;  airJ  suca  a  rjiru^s  .".f  ^itter,  taaf  i  scarce 
knew  h.v.v  to  tlismisa  tin  various  Jieh'i.*  i  had  occa- 
sio.i  Uv  touch  i;p'>n.  A«-.d  blvssed  bA  the'  Lord  I  was 
favore.i  with  some  fer?en«*.y  and  power  as  well  as 
freedom;  so  ttiat  the  word  of  God  seemed  to  awaken 
the  attention  of  a  stupid  audience  to  a  considerable 
degree.  I  was  inwardly  refreshed  with  the  consola 
tions  of  God,  and  could,  with  my  whole  heart  say, 
'Though  thure  be  no  fruit  in  the  vine,  &c.  yet  will  I 
rejoice  in  the  Lord.' 

"16.  Near  night  I  enjoyed  some  agreeable  con 
versation  with  a  dear  minister,  which  I  trust  was 
blessed  to  my  soul;  and  my  heart  was  warmed,  and 
my  soul  engaged  to  live  to  God;  so  that  1  longed  to 
exert  myself  with  more  vigor  than  ever  I  had  done 
in  his  cause:  and  those  words  were  quickening  to 
me,  'Herein  is  my  father  glorified,  that  ye  bring 
forth  much  fruit.'  Oh,  my  soul  longed  and  wished, 
and  prayed,  to  he  enabled  to  live  to  God  with  con 
stancy  and  ardor!  In  the  evening  God  was  pleased 
to  shine  upon  me  in  secret  prayer,  and  draw  out  my 
soul  after  himself:  and  1  had  freedom  in  supplication 
for  myself,  but  much  more  in  intercession  for  others: 
so  that  I  was  sweetly  constrained  to  say,  'Lord  use 
me  as  thou  wilt;  do  as  thou  wilt  with  me:  but  oh,  pro 
mote  thine  own  cause!  Zion  is  thine:  oh,  visit 
thine  heritage!  Oh,  let  thy  kingdom  come!  Oh,  let 
thy  blessed  interest  be  advanced  in  the  world!'  When 
I  attempted  to  look  to  God,  respecting  my  settling 
in  rny  congregation,  which  seems  to  be  necessary, 
and  yet  very  difficult  and  contrary  to  my  fixed  inten 
tion  for  years  past,  as  well  as  my  disposition,  which 
has  been,  and  still  is,  to  go  f  >rfhy  and  spend  my 
life  in  preaching  the  Gospel  from  place  to  place,  and 
gathering  souls  afar  off  to  Jesus  the  great  Redeem 
er:  when  I  attempted  to  look  to  God  with  regard 
to  these  things  1  could  only  say,  'The  will  of  the 
Lord  be  done,  it  is  no  matter  to  me.* 


•1.1FE    OE   BRAINEKD.  185 

"The  same  frame  of  mind  I  felt  with  respect  to 
another  important  affair  I  have  lately  had  some  seri 
ous  thoughts  of;  I  could  say,  with  the  utmost  calm 
ness  and  composure,  'Lord,  if  it  be  most  for  thy  glory, 
let  me  proceed  in  it:  but  if  thou  seest  that  it  will,  iu 
any  wise,  hinder  my  usefulness  in  thy  cause,  oh  pre 
vent  my  proceeding;  for  all  I  want,  is  such  circum 
stances  as  may  best  capacitate  me  to  do  service  for 
God  in  the  world/  Oh,  how  sweet  was  this  evening 
to  my  sou!!  I  knew  not  how  to  go  to  bed,  and  when 
got  to  bed,  longed  for  some  way  to  improve  time  for 
God  to  some  excellent  purpose. 

"17.  1  walked  out  in  the  morning,  and  felt  much 
of  the  same  frame  I  enjoyed  the  evening  before:  had 
my  heart  enlarged  in  praying  for  the  advancement  of 
the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and  found  the  utmost  free 
dom  in  leaving  all  my  concerns  with  God. 

"I  find  discouragement  to  be  an  exceeding  hin 
drance  to  my  spiritual  fervency  and  affection;  but 
when  God  enables  me  to  find  that  1  have  done 
something  for  him,  this  refreshes  and  animates  me, 
so  that  I  could  break  through  all  hardships,  undergo 
any  labors,  and  nothing  seems  too  much  either  to  do 
or  suffer.  But  oh,  what  a  death  it  is  to  strive  and 
strive;  to  be  always  in  a  hurry,  and  yet  do  nothing. 
Alas,  alas!  that  time  flies  away,  and  1  do  so  little  for 
God! 

"LordVday,  18.  I  felt  my  own  utter  insufficien 
cy  for  my  work:  God  made  me  to  see  that  1  was  a 
child;  yea  that  1  was  a  fool.  1  discoursed,  both, 
parts  of  the  day,  from  Rev.  iii,  29, 4Behoid  I  stand  at 
the  door  and  knock.'  God  gave  me  frcwlorn  and 
power  in  the  latter  part  of  my  forenoon  discourse: 
although  in  the  former  part  of  it  I  felt  peevish  and 
provoked  with  the  unmannerly  behavior  of  the  white 
people  who  crowded  in  between  my  people  and  me. 
But  blessed  be  God  1  gut  these  shackles  off  before  the 
middle  of  my  discourse,  and  was  favored  with  a 
sweet  frame  of  spirit  in  the  latter  part  of  fhe  exercise: 
was  full  of  love,  warmth,  arid  tenderness  in  address 
ing  my  dear  people.  In  the  intermission  season  I 


1  86  XIFE  OF  BEAINERD. 

could  not  but  discourse  to  my  people  on  the  kindness 
and  patience  of  Christ  in  standing  and  knocking  at 
the  door.  In  the  evening  I  was  grieved  that  1  had 
done  so  little  for  God.  Oh  that  i  couid  be  a  flame  of 
lire  in  the  service  of  my  God! 

"22.  In  the  evening  I  was  in  a  frame  somewhat 
remarkable:  I  had  apprehended  for  several  days, 
that  it  was  a  design  of  Providence  I  should  dwell 
among  my  people,  and  had,  in  my  own  mind,  thought 
to  make  provision  for  it,  and  yet  was  never  quite 
pleased  with  the  thoughts  of  being  confined  to  one 
place.  Nevertheless  1  seemed  to  have  some  freedom, 
because  the  congregation  was  one  that  God  had  ena 
bled  me  to  gather  from  among  pagans.  For  I  never 
could  (eel  any  freedom  to  'enter  into  other  men's  la 
bors,  aiid  settle  where  the  Gospel  was  preached  be 
fore;'  God  has  never  given  me  any  liberty  in  that 
respect,  either  since,  or  for  some  years  before  1  began 
to  preach.  But  God  having  succeeded  my  labors, 
and  made  me  instrumental  of  gathering  a  church 
for  him  among  these  Indians,  I  was  ready  to  think 
it  might  be  his  design  to  give  me  a  quiet  settlement. 
And  this  considering  the  late  frequent  failure  of  my 
spirits,  arid  the  need  I  stood  in  of  some  agreeable 
society,  and  my  great  desire  of  enjoying  convenien 
ces  for  profitable  studies,  was  not  altogether  disa 
greeable  to  me.  And  although  1  still  wanted  to  go 
about  far  and  wide,  in  order  to  spread  the  hlessed 
Gospel  among  benighted  souls,  yet  i  never  had  been 
so  willing  to  settle  fur  more  than  five  years  past,  as 
1  was  in  the  for<  going  part  of  this  week.  JBut  now 
these  thoughts  seemed  to  be  wholly  dashed  to  pieces; 
not  by  necessity  but  by  choice;  for  it  appeared  to 
me  that  God's  dealings  towards  me  had  fitted  me  for 
a  life  of  solitariness  and  hardship;  it  appeared  to  me 
1  had  nothing  to  lose,  nothing  to  do  with  earth,  and 
consequently  nothing  to  lose  by  a  total  renunciation 
of  it;  and  it  appeared  just  right  that  i  should  be 
desiiiute  of  house  and  hmn<',  and  many  comforts, 
whicu  1  rejoiced  to  see  others  ot  God's  people  enjoy. 


OF  BRAINERD.  187 

"At  the  same  time  I  saw  so  much  of  the  excel 
lency  of  Christ's  kingdom,  and  {he  infinite  desira 
bleness  of  its  advancement  in  the  world,  that  it 
swallowed  up  ail  my  other  thoughts,  and  made  me 
willing  to  be  a  pilgrim  or  hermit  in  the  wilderness 
to  my  dying  moment,  if  I  might  thereby  promote  the 
blessed  interest  of  the  great  Redeemer.  And  if  ever 
my  soul  presented  itself  to  God  for  his  service,  with 
out  any  reserve  of  any  kind,  it  did  so  now.  The 
language  of  my  thoughts  (although  1  spake  no  words) 
now  was,  <Here  1  am,  Lord,  send  me;  send  me  to  the 
ends  of  I  he  earth;  send  me  to  the  rough,  the  savage 
pagans  of  the  wilderness;  send  me  from  all  that  is 
called  comfort  on  earth!  send  me  even  to  death  itself, 
if  it  be  but  in  thy  service,  and  to  promote  thy  king 
dom.'  And  at  the  same  time  I  had  as  quick  and 
lively  a  sense  of  the  value  of  worldly  comforts  as 
ever  I  had;  but  saw  them  infinitely  over-matched  by 
the  worth  of  Christ's  kingdom,  and  the  propagation 
of  this  blessed  Gospel.  The  quiet  settlement,  the 
certain  place  of  abode,  the  tender  friendship,  which 
I  thought  I  might  be  likely  to  enjoy,  appeared  as 
valuable  to  me,  considered  absolutely,  and  in  them 
selves,  as  evtr  before;  but  considered  comparatively, 
they  appeared  nothing;  compared  with  an  enlarge 
ment  of  Christ's  kingdom  they  vanished  like  the 
stars  before  the  rising  sun.  Arid  the  comfortable 
accommodations  of  life  appeared  valuable  and  dear 
to  me,  yet  I  did  surrender  myself,  soul  and  body,  to 
the  service  of  God,  and  promotion  of  Christ's  king 
dom,  though  it  should  be  in  the  loss  of  them  all.  I 
was  constrained,  and  yet  chose,  to  say,  'Farewell 
friends  and  earthly  comforts,  the  dearest  of  them  all, 
if  the  Lord  calls  for  it:  adieu,  adieu;  I  will  spend  my 
life,  to  rny  latest  moments,  in  caves  and  dens  of  the 
earth,  if  the  kingdom  of  Christ  may  thereby  be  ad 
vanced,' 

"I  found  extraordinary  freedom  at  this  time  in 
pouring  out  my  soul  to  God  for  his  cause;  and  espe 
cially  that  his  kingdom  might  be  extended  among 
the  Indians;  and  I  had  a  strong  hope,  that  God  would 


188  LIFE    OF   E^AINERB. 

do  it.  1  continued  wrestling  with  God  in  prayer, 
for  my  dear  little  flock  lujre;  and  more  especially 
for  the  Indians  elsewhere,  as  well  as  for  dear  friends 
in  one  place  and  another,  till  it  was  bed- time,  and  I 
feared  i  should  hinder  the  family.  But  oh,  with 
what  reluct ancy  did  i  find  myself  obliged  to  consume 
time  irj  sleep!  J  longed  to  be  as  a  flame  of  fire,  con 
tinually  glowing  in  the  divine  service,  preaching  and 
building  up  Christ's  kingdom,  to  my  latest,  my  dying 
moment. 

"23.  In  the  afternoon  I  was  in  the  same  frame  of 
mind  as  in  the  evening  before.  The  glory  of  Christ's 
kingdom  so  much  outshone  the  pleasure  of  earthly 
accommodations  and  enjoyments,  that  they  appear 
ed  comparatively  nothing,  though  in  themst  Ives  good 
arid  desirable.  My  soul  was  melted  in  secret  med 
itation  and  prayer,  and  I  found  myself  divorced  from 
any  part  in  this  world;  so  that  in  those  affairs  that 
seemed  of  the  greatest  importance  in  the  present  life, 
and  those  wherein  the  tender  powers  of  the  mind  are 
most  sensibly  touched,  I  could  only  say,  'the  will  of 
the  Lord  be  done.'  Just  the  same  that  1  felt  the  even 
ing  before.  I  felt  now  the  same  freedom  in  prayer  i'or 
the  people  of  rny  charge,  for  the  propagation  of  the 
gospel  among  the  Indians,  and  for  the  enlargement 
of  Zion  in  general,  and  my  dear  friends  in  particu 
lar:  and  longed  to  burn  out  in  one  continual  flame  for 
God.  In  the  evening  I  was  visited  by  my  brother 
John  Brainerd;  the  first  visit  I  have  received  from 
any  near  relative  since  I  have  been  a  missionary. 
Blessed  be  God,  if  ever  1  filled  up  a  day  with  studies 
and  devotion,  I  was  enabled  to  fill  up  this  day. 

"Lord's -day,  May  25.  1  discoursed  both  parts  of 
the  day  from*  John  xii,  44 — 48.  There  was  some 
degree  of  divine  power  attending  the  word  of  God. 
Sundry  wept  and  appeared  considerably  affected:  and 
om,  who  had  long  been  under  spiritual  trouble,  ob 
tained  clearness  and  comfort,  and  appeared  to  «re- 
joioe  in  God  her  Savior.' 

4il  have  reason  to  hope,  that  God  has  lately 
brought  home  to  himself  sundry  souls  who  had  long 


LIFE    OF  BRAIN  EKD.  189 

been  under  spiritual  trouble:  though  there  have  been 
lew  instances  of  persons  lately  awakened  out  of  a  state 
of  security.  And  those  comforted  of  late  seem  to  be 
brought  in,  in  a  more  silent  way,  neither  their  con 
cern  nor  consolation  being  so  powerful  and  remark 
able,  as  appeared  among  those  wrought  upon  in  the 
beginning. 

"June  6.  I  discoursed  to  my  people  from  part  of 
Isa.  liii  The  divine  presence  appeared  to  be  amongst 
us.  Divers  persons  were  much  melted  and  refreshed^ 
and  one  man  in  particular,  was  now  brought  to  sec 
and  feel,  in  a  very  lively  manner,  the  impossibility 
of  his  doing  any  thing  to  help  himself,  or  to  bring 
him  into  the  favor  of  God  by  his  tears,  prayers,  and 
other  religious  performances. 

"7.  I  rode'  to  Freehold  to  assist  Mr.  Tennent  in 
the  administration  of  the  Lord's  supper.  In  the  af 
ternoon  I  preached  from  Psalm  Ixiii,  28.  God  gave 
IKC  some  freedom  arid  warmth  in  my  discourse:  and 
I  trust,  his  presence  was  in  the  assembly.  I  was 
comfortably  composed,  and  enjoyed  a  thankful  frame 
of  spirit;  and  my  soul  was  grieved  that  1  could  not 
render  something  to  God  for  his  benefits  bestowed. 

0  that  I  could  be  swallowed  up  in  his  praise! 
"Lerd's-day,  June  8.     1  spent  much  time  in  the 

morning,  in  secret  duties;  but  between  hope  and  fear 
respecting  the  enjoyment  of  God  in  the  business  of 
the  day.  I  was  agreeably  entertained  in  the  fore 
noon,  by  a  discourse  from  Mr.  Tennent,  and  felt 
melted  and  refreshed,  in  the  season  of  communion, 

1  enjoyed  some  comfort:   and  especially  in  serving 
one  of  the  tables.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  it  was  a  time 
of  refreshing  to  me,  and  1  trust  to  many  others.     A 
number  of  my  ('ear  people  sat  down  by  themselves  at 
the  last  table;  at  which  time  God  seemed  to  be  in  the 
midst  of  them.     And  the  thoughts  of  what  God  had 
done  among  them  were  refreshing  and  melting  to  me. 
In  the  afternoon,  God  enabled  me  to  preach  with 
uncommon  freedom,  from  2  Cor.  v,  20.     Through 
the  great  goodness  of  God,  1  was  favored  with  a  con 
stant  flow  of  matter,  and  proper  expressions.    In 

17 


190  IIFE  OF  13RAINERD. 

tlje  evening,  I  could  not  but  rejoice  in  God,  and 
bless  him  for  the  manifestations  of  grace  in  the  day 
past.  Oh  it  was  a  sweet  and  solemn  day!  a  season 
of  comfort  to  the  godly,  and  of  awakening  to  other 
souls.' 

"9.  I  preached  the  concluding  sermon  from  Gen. 
v,  24,  «And  Enoch  walked  with  God.'  God  gave 
me  enlargement  and  fervency  in  my  discourse,  so 
that  I  was  enabled  to  speak  with  plainness  and  power. 
Praised  be  the  Lord,  it  was  a  sweet  meeting,  a  de 
sirable  assembly.  I  found  my  strength  renewed,  and 
lengthened  out,  even  to  a  wonder;  so  that  I  felt  much 
stronger  at  the  conclusion,  than  in  the  beginning.  I 
have  great  reason  to  bless  God  for  this  solemnity, 
wherein  I  have  found  assistance  in  addressing  oth 
ers,  and  sweetness  in  my  own  soul. 

"To-day  a  considerable  number  of  my  people  met 
together  early  in  a  retired  place  in  the  woods,  and 
prayed,  sang,  and  conversed  of  divine  things;  and 
were  seen  by  some  of  the  white  people  to  be  affected 
and  engaged;  and  divers  of  them  in  tears. 

"Afterwards  they  attended  the  concluding  exer 
cises  of  the  sacramental  solemnity,  and  then  return 
ed  home,  «rejoicing  for  all  the  goodness  of  God'  they 
had  seen  and  felt:  so  that  this  appeared  to  be  a  pro 
fitable,  as  well  as  a  comfortable  season  to  many  of 
my  congregation. 

"}  3.  I  came  away  from  the  meeting  of  the  Indians 
this  day,  rejoicing  and  blessing  God  for  his  grace 
manifested  at  this  season. 

"The  same  day  I  baptized  five  persons,  three 
adults  and  two  children.  One  of  these  was  the  very 
aged  woman  of  whom  I  gave  an  account  in  my 
journal  of  Dec.  26.  She  now  gave  me  a  very  punc 
tual,  rational,  and  satisfactory  account  of  the  remark 
able  change  she  experienced  some  months  after  the 
beginning  of  her  concern.  And  although  she  was 
become  so  childish  through  old  age,  that  I  could  do 
nothing  in  a  way  of  questioning  with  her;  yet  when 
I  let  her  alone  to  go  on  with  her  own  story,  she  could 
give  a  very  distinct  relation  of  the  many  and  various 


I.IFE    OF   BRAINERD.  191 

exercises  of  soul  she  had  experienced;  so  deep 
were  the  impressions  left  upon  her  mind  by  that  in 
fluence  she  had  been  under.  And  I  have  great  rea 
son  to  hope,  she  is  horn  anew,  in  her  old  age;  she 
being,  1  presume,  upwards  of  fourscore. 

"14.  I  rode  to  Kingston,  to  assist  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Wales  in  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  supper. 
In  the  afternoon  I  preached:  hut  almost  fainted  in 
the  pulpit:  yet  God  strengthened  me  when  I  was  just 
gone,  and  enabled  me  to  speak  his  word  with  free 
dom,  fervency,  and  application  to  the  conscience. 
And  praised  he  the  Lord,  <out  of  weakness  I  was 
made  strong;'  1  enjoyed  sweetness,  in  and  after  pub 
lic  worship;  but  was  extremely  tired.  Oh,  how  many 
arc  the  mercies  of  the  Lord!  *To  them  that  have  no 
might,  he  increaseth  strength.' 

"Lord's-day,  June  15.  1  was  in  a  dejected,  spirit 
less  frame,  that  1  could  not  hold  up  my  head,  nor 
look  any  body  in  the  face.  Yet  I  administered  the 
Lord's  supper  at  Mr.  Wales  desire:  and  found  my 
self  in  a  good  measure  relieved  for  my  pressing 
load,  when  I  came  to  ask  a  blessing  on  the  elements. 
Here  God  gave  me  enlargement,  and  a  tender,  affec 
tionate  sense  of  spiritual  things;  so  that  it  was  a  sea 
son  of  comfort  to  me,  and  I  trust  more  so  to  others. 
Jn  the  afternoon  1  preached  to  a  vast  multitude  from 
liev.  xxii,  17.  God  helped  me  to  offer  a  testimony 
for  himself,  and  to  leave  sinners  inexcusable  in  neg 
lecting  his  grace,  i  was  enabled  1o  speak  with  such 
freedom,  fluency* ,  and  clearness,  as  commanded  the 
attention  of  the  great.  I  was  extremely  tired  in  the 
evening*.,  but  enjoyed  composure  and  sweetness. 

*'!6.  I  preached  again;  and  God  helped  me  amaz 
ingly,  so  that  this  was  a  refreshing  season  to  my 
soul  and  others.  For  ever  blessed  be  God  for  help 
afforded  at  this  time,  when  my  body  was  so  weak, 
and  there  was  so  large  an  assembly  to  hear. 

"19.  I  visited  my  people  with  two  of  the  reverend 
correspondents:  1  spent  some  time  in  conversation 
with  them  upon  spiritual  things:  and  took  care  of 
their  worldly  concerns. 


192  .LIFE    OF   BR.11NERB. 

"This  day  makes  us  a  complete  year  from  the  first 
time  of  my  preaching  to  these  Indians  in  New  Jer 
sey.  V*  hat  amazing  things  has  God  wrought  in 
this  time  for  these  poor  people!  What  a  surprising 
change  appears  in  their  tempers  and  behavior!  How 
5ii e  savage  pagans  transformed  into  affectionate  and 
humble  Christians,  and  their  drunken  and  pagan 
bowlings  turned  into  fervent  prayers  and  praises  to 
God!  They  *vvho  were  sometimes  darkness  are  now 
become  light  in  the  Lord,'  May  they  walk  as  chil 
dren  of  the.  light,  and  of  the  day.  And  now  to  him 
that  is  of  power  to  establish  them  according  to  the 
Gospel,  and  the  preaching  of  Christ,  to  G<;d  only 
Aviso,  be  glory  through  Jesus  Christ,  for  ever  and 
ever!  Amen.' 

"Before  I  conclude,  I  would  make  a  few  general 
remarks  upon  what  to  me  appears  worthy  of  notice, 

"And,  first,  1  cannot  but  take  notice  that  1  have, 
ever  since  my  first  coming  among  these  Indians, 
been  favored  with  that  assistance,  which  (to  me)  is 
uncommon,  in  preaching  Christ  crucified  and  mak 
ing  him  the  centre  and  mark  to  which  all  my  dis 
courses  were  directed. 

"It  was  the  principal  scope  of  all  my  discourses 
for  several  months  (after  having  taught  the  people 
something  of  the  being  and  perfections  of  God,  his 
creation  of  man  in  a  state  of  rectitude  and  happiness, 
and  the  obligations  mankind  were  thence  under  to 
love  and  honor  him,)  to  lead  them  into  an  acquaint 
ance  with  their  deplorable  state  by  nature:  their  in 
ability  to  deliver  themselves  from  it:  the  utter  insuffi 
ciency  of  any  external  reformation,  or  of  any  relig 
ious  performances  to  bring  them  into  the  favor  of  God. 
And  thence  to  show  them  their  absolute  need  of 
Christ  to  save  them  from  the  misery  of  their  fallen 
state:  to  open  his  all-sufficiency  and  willingness  to  save 
the  chief  of  sinners.  The  freeness  and  riches  of  his 
grace  proposed  'without  money  and  without  price.' 
And  thereupon  to  press  them  without  delay  to  betake 
themselves  to  him,  under  a  sense  of  their  misery  and 


LIFE    OF  BRA1NERD.  If 3 

undone  estate,  for  relief  and  everlasting  salvation* 
And  to  show  them  the  abundant  encouragement  the 
Gospel  proposes  to  perishing,  helpless  sinners  so  to 
do. 

"And  I  have  often  remarked,  that  whatever  sub 
ject  I  have  been  upon,  after  having  spent  time  suffi 
cient  to  explain  the  truths  contained  therein,  I  have 
been  naturally  and  easily  led  to  Christ,  as  the  sub 
stance  of  every  one.  If  I  treated  on  the  being  and 
glorious  perfections  of  God,  1  was  thence  naturally 
led  to  discourse  of  Christ  as  the  only  <way  to  the 
Father.'  If  I  attempted  to  open  the  misery  of  our 
fallen  state,  it  was  natural  from  thence  to  show  the 
necessity  of  Christ  to  undertake  for  us,  to  atone  for 
our  sins,  and  to  redeem  us  from  the  power  of  them. 
If  I  taught  the  commands  of  God,  and  showed  our 
violation  of  them,  this  brought  me  in  the  most  easy 
way,  to  speak  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  one  who 
had  'magnified  the  law*  we  had  broken,  and  who  was 
'become  the  end  of  it  for  righteousness,  to  every  one 
that  believes.'  And  never  did  I  find  so  much  freedom 
and  assistance  in  making  all  the  various  lines  of  my 
discourses  meet  together,  and  centre  in  Christ,  as  I 
have  frequently  done  among  these  Indians. 

"I  have  frequently  been  enabled  to  represent  the 
divine  glory,  the  infinite  preciousness  and  transcen 
dent  loveliness  of  the  great  Redeemer,-  the  suitable 
ness  of  his  person  and  purchase  to  supply  the  wants, 
and  answer  the  utmost  desires  of  immortal  souls. — 
To  open  the  infinite  riches  of  his  grace,  and  the 
wonderful  encouragement  proposed  in  the  Gospel  to 
unworthy,  helpless  sinners. — To  call,  invite,  and  be 
seech  them  to  come  and  give  up  themselves  to  him 
and  be  reconciled  to  God  th rough  him. — To  expostu 
late  with  them  respecting  their  neglect  of  one  so  infi 
nitely  lovely,  and  freely  offered. — And  this  in  such 
a  manner,  with  such  freedom,  pertinency,  pathos,  and 
application  to  the  conscience,  as  I  never  could  have 
made  myself  master  of  by  the  most  assiduous  appli 
cation.  And  I  have  often  at  such  seasons  been  sur 
prisingly  helped  in  adapting  my  discourses  to  the  ca- 


1  1IFE    OF  BRAINER0. 

pacities  of  my  people,  and  bringing  them  down  into 
such  easy,  vulgar,  and  familiar  methods  of  expres 
sions,  as  has  rendered  them  intelligible  even  to  the 
Pagans. 

"Secondly.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  numbers 
of  these  people  are  brought  to  a  strict  compliance 
with  the  rules  of  morality  and  sobriety,  and  to  a 
conscientious  performance  of  the  external  duties  of 
Christianity;  without  their  having  them  frequently 
inculcated  upon  them,  and  the  contrary  vices  partic 
ularly  exposed. 

"God  was  pleased  to  give  the  grand  Gospel  truths 
such  a  powerful  influence  upon  their  minds,  that 
their  lives  were  quickly  reformed,  without  my  spend 
ing  time  in  repeated  harangues  upon  external  duties. 
There  was  indeed  no  room  for  any  discourses  but 
those  that  respected  the  essentials  of  religion,  and 
the  experimental  knowledge  of  divine  things,  while 
there  were  so  many  inquiring  daily,  not  how  they 
should  regulate  their  external  conduct,  but  how 
should  they  escape  from  the  wrath  to  corne;  obtain 
an  effectual  change  of  heart;  get  an  interest  in 
Christ,  and  come  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  eternal 
blessedness.  So  that  my  great  work  still  was  to 
lead  them  into  a  further  view  of  their  total  depravi 
ty;  to  show  that  there  was  no  manner  of  goodness 
in  them;  no  good  dispositions  nor  desires;  no  love  to 
God,  nor  delights  in  his  commands;  but  on  the  con 
trary,  hatred,  enmity,  and  ail  manner  of  wickedness: 
and  at  the  same  time  to  open  to  them  the  glorious 
remedy  provided  in  Christ  for  helpless  perishing 
sinners,  and  offered  freely  to  those  who  have  no 
goodness  of  their  own,  no  works  of  righteousness  to 
recommend  them  to  God. 

"When  these  truths  were  felt  at  heart,  there  was 
no  vice  unreformed,  no  external  duty  neglected. 
Drunkenness,  the  darling  vice,  was  broken  off,  and 
scarce  an  instance  of  it  known  for  months  together. 
The  practice  of  husbands  and  wives  in  putting  away 
each  other,  and  taking  others  in  their  stead,  was 
quickly  reformed.  The  same  might  be  said  of  all 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  195 

other  vicious  practices.  The  reformation  was  gen 
eral;  and  all  springing  from  the  internarinfluence 
of  divine  truths  upon  their  hearts;  not  because  they 
had  heard  these  vices  particularly  exposed,  and  re 
peatedly  spoken  against. 

"So  that  happy  experience,  as  \vcll  as  the  word  of 
God,  and  the  example  of  Christ  and  his  apostles 
have  taught  me,  that  the  preaching  which  is  suited  to 
awaken  in  mankind  a  lively  apprehension  of  their  de 
pravity  and  misery,  to  excite  them  earnestly  to  seek 
after  a  change  of  heart,  and  to  fly  for  refuge  to 
Christ  as  the  only  hope  set  before  them,  is  likely  to 
be  most  successful  toward  the  reformation  of  their 
external  conduct.  I  have  found  that  close  address 
es  and  solemn  applications  of  divine  truths  to  the 
conscience,  strike  death  to  the  root  of  all  vice;  while 
smooth  and  plausible  harangues  upon  moral  virtues 
and  external  duties,  at  best  do  no  more  than  lop  off 
the  branches  of  corruption. 

"I  do  not  intend,  by  what  I  have  observed,  to  rep 
resent  the  preaching  of  morality,  and  pressing  per 
sons  to  the  external  performances  of  duty,  to  be  un 
necessary  and  useless  at  any  time;  and  especially  at 
times  when  there  is  less  of  divine  power  attending 
the  means  of  grace.  It  is  doubtless  among  the 
things  that  'ought  to  be  done,  while  others  are  not  to 
left  undone.'  But  what  I  principally  design  is  to 
discover  a  plain  matter  of  fact,  viz.  that  the  external 
compliance  with  the  rules  of  Christianity,  appearing 
among  my  people,  are  not  the  effect  of  any  merely 
rational  view  of  the  beauty  of  morality,  but  of  the 
internal  influence  that  divine  truths  have  had  upon 
their  hearts. 

"Thirdly.  It  is  remarkable,  that  God  has  so 
continued  arid  renewed  the  showers  of  his  grace:  so 
quickly  set  up  his  kingdom  among  these  people;  and 
so  smiled  upon  them  in  relation  to  their  acquirement 
of  knowledge,  both  divine  and  human.  It  is  now 
near  a  year  since  the  beginning  of  this  gracious  out 
pouring  of  the  divine  Spirit  among  tlieiu:  and 
although  it  has  often  seemed  to  decline  for  some  short 


196  XIFE    OF   BBAINERD. 

time,  yet  tlic  shower  was  renewed,  and  the  work  of 
grace  revived  again:  so  that  a  divine  influence  seems 
.still  to  attend  the  means  of  grace,  in  a  greater  or 
less  degree;  whereby  religious  persons  are  refresh 
ed,  strengthened,  and  established,  convictions  reviv 
ed  and  promoted  in  many  instances,  and  some  newly 
awakened  from  time  to  time.  Although  it  must  be 
acknowledged  that,  for  some  time  past,  there  has  ap 
peared  a  more  manifest  decline  of  this  work,  yet 
blessed  be  God  there  is  still  an  appearance  of  divine 
power,  a  desirable  degree  of  tenderness  and  devotion 
in  our  assemblies. 

"And  as  God  has  continued  the  showers  of  his 
grace  among  this  people;  so  he  has  with  uncommon 
quickness  set  up  his  visible  kingdom  in  the  midst  of 
them.  I  have  now  baptized,  since  the  conclusion  of 
my  last  journal,  thirty  persons,  fifteen  adults,  and 
fifteen  children.  Which  added  to  the  number  there 
mentioned  makes  seventy-seven  persons;  whereof 
thirty-eight  are  adults,  and  thirty-nine  children;  and 
all  within  the  space  of  eleven  months  past.  And 
have  baptized  no  adults,  but  such  as  appeared  to  have 
a  work  of  grace  in  their  hearts;  I  mean  such  as  have 
had  the  experience  not  only  of  the  awakening,  but  of 
the  renewing  and  comforting  influences  of  the  divine 
Spirit. 

"Much  of  the  goodness  of  God  has  appeared  in 
relation  to  their  acquirement  of  knowledge,  both  in 
religion  and  in  common  life.  There  has  been  a 
wonderful  thirst  after  Christian  knowledge  among 
them,  and  an  eager  desire  of  being  instructed.  This 
has  prompted  them  to  ask  many  pertinent  as  well  as 
important  questions.  Many  of  the  doctrines  I  have 
delivered,  they  have  queried  with  me  about,  in  order 
to  gain  further  light  into  them:  and  have  from  time 
to  time  manifested  a  good  understanding  of  them,  by 
their  answers  to  the  questions  proposed. 

"They  have  likewise  taken  pains,  and  appeared 
remarkably  apt  in  learning  to  sing  psalms,  and  are 
now  able  to  sing  with  a  good  degree  of  decency  in  the 
worship  of  God. 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  197 

"They  have  also  acquired  a  considerable  degree 
of  useful  knowledge  in  the  affairs  of  common  life: 
so  that  they  now  appear  like  rational  creatures,  fit 
for  human  society,  free  from  that  savage  roughness 
and  brutish  stupidity,  which  rendered  them  very  dis 
agreeable  in  their  Pagan  state. 

"And  as  they  are  desirous  of  instruction,  and 
surprisingly  apt  in  the  reception  of  it,  so  divine 
Providence  has  smiled  upon  them  in  regard  of 
proper  means  in  order  to  it. — The  attempts  made  for 
a  school  among  them  have  succeeded,  and  a  kind 
Providence  has  sent  them  a  school-master,  of  whom 
I  may  justly  say,  1  know  of  «no  man  like-minded 
who  will  naturally  care  for  their  state.' 

<»IIe  lias  generally  thirty  or  thirty-five  children  in 
his  school:  and  when  he  kept  an  evening  school  (as 
ho  did  while  the  length  of  the  evenings  would  admit  of 
it)  he  had  fifteen  or  twenty  people,  married  and  single. 

•'•The  children  learn  with  surprising  readiness:  so 
that  their  master  tells  me,  he  never  had  any  English 
school  that  learned,  in  general,  near  so  fast.  There 
were  not  above  two  in  thirty,  although  some  were 
very  small,  but  what  learned  to  know  all  the  letters 
in  the  alphabet  distinctly,  within  three  days  after  his 
entrance  upon  his  business;  and  divers  in  that  space 
learned  to  spell  considerably;  and  some  of  them  since 
the  beginning  of  February  last  (at  which  time  the 
school  was  set  up,)  have  learned  so  much,  that  they 
are  able  to  read  in  a  Psalter  or  Testament  without 
spelling, 

"They  are  instructed  in  the  duty  of  secret  prayer, 
and  most  of  them  constancy  attend  it  night  and 
morning,  and  are  very  careful  to  inform  their  master 
if  they  apprehend  any  of  their  little  schoolmates 
neglect  that  religious  exercise. 

"Fourthly.  It  is  worthy  to  be  noted,  that  amidst 
so  great  a  work  of  conviction,  so  much  concern  and 
religious  affection,  there  has  been  no  prevalency,  nor 
indeed  any  considerable  appearance  of  false  relig 
ion,  (if  I  may  so  term  it)  or  heats  of  imagination, 
intemperate  zeal,  and  spiritual  pridej  which  corrupt 


198  LIFE    OF   B1UINERD. 

mixtures  too  often  attend  the  revival  of  religion; 
and  that  there  have  hcen  so  very  few  instances  of 
scandalous  hehavior  among  those  who  have  appear 
ed  serious.  The  religious  concern  that  persons  have 
been  under,  has  generally  hcen  rational  and  just; 
arising  from  a  sense  of  their  sins,  and  the  divine 
displeasure  on  the  account  of  them;  as  \vell  as  their 
utter  inability  to  deliver  themselves  from  the  misery 
they  felt  and  feared.  And  it  is  remarkable,  although 
the  concern  of  many  persons  has  been  very  great  and 
pressing,  yet  I  have  never  seen  any  thing  like  de 
spair  attending  it  in  any  one  instance;  whence  it  is 
apparent,  there  is  not  that  danger  of  persons  being 
driven  into  despair  under  spiritual  trouble,  (unless 
in  cases  of  melancholy,)  that  the  world  in  general 
imagine. 

"The  comfort,  persons  have  obtained  after  their 
distresses,  has  likewise  in  general  appeared  solid, 
well-grounded,  and  scriptural;  arising  from  a  spirit 
ual  and  supernatural  illumination  of  mind,  a  view  of 
divine  things  as  they  are,  a  complacency  of  soul  in 
the  divine  perfections,  and  a  peculiar  satisfaction  in 
the  way  of  salvation  by  free  grace  in  the  great  Re 
deemer. 

"Their  joys  have  seemed  to  rise  from  a  variety  of 
views  and  considerations  of  divine  things,  although 
for  substance  the  same. 

"Some  have  at  first  appeared  to  rejoice  especially 
in  the  wisdom  of  God  discovered  in  the  way  of  sal- 
vation  by  Christ;  it  then  appearing  to  them  *a  new 
and  living  way,'  a  way  they  had  never  thought,  nor 
had  any  just  conception  of,  until  opened  to  them  by 
the  special  influence  of  the  divine  Spirit.  And 
some  of  them,  upon  a  lively,  spiritual  view  of  this 
way  of  salvation,  have  wondered  at  their  past  folly 
in  seeking  salvation  other  ways,  and  have  admired 
that  they  never  saw  this  way  of  salvation  before, 
which  now  appealed  so  plain  and  easy. 

"Others  huve  had  a  more  general  view  of  the 
beauty  and  excellency  of  Christ,  and  have  had  their 
souls  delighted  with  an  apprehension  of  his  glory,  as 


UFE    OF   ERAINERD.  199 

unspeakably  exceeding  all  they  had  ever  conceived 
before;  yet  without  singling  out  (as  it  were)  any  one 
of  the  divine  perfections  in  particular;  so  that 
although  their  comforts  have  seemed  to  arise  from  a 
variety  of  views  of  divine  glories,  still  they  were 
spiritual  and  supernatural  views  of  them." 

On  a  review  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  success  this  year, 
who  can  forbear  exclaiming  what  hath  God  wrought. 
His  public  journal  closes  at  June  the  19th.  But  we 
learn  from  his  diary  that  he  continued  laboring  and 
journeying  with  various  success  till  the  1 1th  of  Au 
gust,  when  he  proposed  once  more  to  visit  Susquahan- 
naha  and  arrived  in  the  course  of  the  week  accompanied 
by  six  of  his  Christian  Indians  at  Charlestowri,a  place 
about  30  miles  westward  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  the 
following  extracts  he  relates  on  account  of  his  jour 
ney  from  thence  to  the  place  of  his  destination,  his 
reception  among  the  Indians,  and  all  that  occurred 
of  importance  in  his  returning.  It  was  here  that 
consumption,  'most  fatal  of  Pandora's  train,'  marked 
him  for  her  own.  The  symptoms  of  this  deplorable 
malady  visibly  appeared  in  his  journey  home,  which 
he  performed  with  the  greatest  difficulty,  and  at  the 
risk  of  his  life. 

"August  16.  It  being  a  day  kept  by  the  people  of 
the  place  where  I  now  was,  as  preparatory  to  the 
celebration  of  the  Lord's  supper,  1  tarried,  heard 
Mr.  Treat  preach,  arid  then  preached  myself.  God 
gave  me  some  freedom  and  helped  me  to  discourse 
with  warmth,  and  application  to  the  conscience. 
Afterwards  I  was  refreshed  in  spirit,  though  much 
tired:  and  spent  the  evening  agreeably  in  prayer, 
and  Christian  conversation. 

*C18.  I  rode  on  my  way  towards  Paxton  upon 
Susquahannah  river,  but  felt  my  spirits  sink,  to 
wards  night. 

"19.  I  rode  forward  still;  arid  at  night  lodged  by 
the  side  of  Susquahannah. 

"20.  Having  lain  in  a  cold  sweat  all  night,  I 
coughed  much  bloody  matter  this  morning;  but  what 
gave  me  encouragement,  was,  I  had  a  secret  hopa 


206  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

that  I  might  speedily  get  a  dismission  from  earth, 
and  all  its  sorrows.  I  rode  this  day  to  one  Cham* 
ber's,  upon  Susquahannah,  and  there  lodged,  hut 
was  much  afflicted  in  the  evening  with  an  ungodly 
crew,  drinking  and  swearing.  Oh,  what  a  hell 
would  it  he,  to  he  numbered  with  the  ungodly. 

"21.  I  rdhde  up  the  river  about  fifteen  miles,  and 
there  lodged,  in  a  family  that  appeared  quite  desti 
tute  of  God.  I  labored  to  discourse  with  the  man 
about  the  life  of  religion,  but  found  him  very  artful 
in  evading  it.  Ob,  what  a  death  it  is  to  some,  to 
hear  of  the  things  of  God. 

"22.  I  continued  my  course  up  the  river:  my 
people  now  being  with  me,  who  before  were  parted 
from  me:  travelled  above  all  the  English  settlements; 
at  night,  lodged  in  the  open  woods,  and  slept  with 
more  comfort,  than  while  among  an  ungodly  compa 
ny  of  white  people. 

"Lord's-diiy,  Aug.  24.  Towards  noon  I  visited 
some  of  the  Dclawarcs,  and  discoursed  with  them 
about  Christianity.  In  the  afternoon  1  discoursed  to 
the  king,  and  others,  on  divine  things,  who  seemed 
disposed  to  hear.  I  spent  most  of  the  day  in  these 
exercises.  In  the  evening  1  enjoyed  some  comfort 
and  satisfaction,  especially  in  secret  prayer:  this 
duty  was  made  so  agreeable  to  me,  that  I  loved  to 
walk  abroad,  and  repeatedly  engage  in  it 
',  «25.  I  sent  out  my  people  to  talk  with  the  Indians, 
and  contract  a  familiarity  with  them.  Some  good 
seemed  to  be  done  by  their  visit  this  day,  and  divers 
appeared  willing  to  hearken  to  Christianity. 

"26.  About  noon  I  discoursed  to  a  considerable 
number  of  Indians:  I  was  enabled  to  speak  with 
much  plainness,  warmth,  and  power.  The  discourse 
had  impressions  upon  some,  and  made  them  appear 
very  serious. 

"27.  There  having  been  a  thick  smoke,  in  the 
house  where  I  lodged,  I  was  this  mornhig  distressed- 
with  paius  in  my  head  and  neck.  In  the  morning, 
the  smoke  was  stiil  the  same:  and  a  cold  easterly 
storm  gathering,  I  could  neither  live  in  doors,  nor 


LIFE    OE   BRAIN  EKD.  201 

without,  any  long  time  together:  I  was  pierced 'with 
the  rawness  of  the  air  abroad,  in  the  house  distressed 
with  the  smoke.  I  this  day  lived  in  great  distress, 
and  had  not  health  enough  to  do  any  thing  to  pur 
pose. 

«28.  I  was  under  great  concern  of  mind.  I  was 
visited  by  some  who  desired  to  hear  me  preach:  and 
discoursed  to  them  in  the  afternoon,  with  some  fer 
vency,  and  labored  to  persuade  them  to  turn  to  God. 
I  scarce  ever  saw  more  clearly,  that  it  is  God's  work 
to  convert  souls.  1  knew  1  could  not  touch  them,  I 
saw  I  could  only  speak  to  dry  bones,  but  could  give 
them  no  sense  of  what  I  said.  My  eyes  were  up  to 
God  for  help;  I  could  only  say  the  work  was  his. 

"29.  I  travelled  to  the  Delawares,  found  few  at 
home:  felt  poorly,  but  was  able  to  spend  some  time 
alone  in  reading  God's  word  and  prayer. 

"LordVday,  Aug.  31.  I  spake  the  word  of  God 
to  some  few  of  the  Susquahannah  Indians.  In  the 
afternoon  I  felt  very  weak  and  feeble;  oh,  how  heavy 
is  my  work,  when  faith  cannot  take  hold  of  an  al 
mighty  arm,  for  the  performance  of  it. 

«'Sept.  1.  I  set  out  on  a  journey  towards  a  place 
called,  the  great  island,  about  fifty  miles  distant  from 
Shaumokiiig,  in  the  north  western  branch  of  Susqua 
hannah.  At  night  I  lodged  in  the  woods.  I  was 
exceeding  feeble  this  day,  and  sweat  much  the  night 
following. 

"2.  J  rode  forward;  but  no  faster  than  my  peo 
ple  went  on  foot.  I  was  so  feeble  and  faint,  that  I 
feared  it*  would  kill  me  to  lie  out  in  the  open  air,  and 
some  of  our  company  being  parted  from  us,  so  that 
we  had  now  no  axe  with  us,  I  had  no  way  but  to  climb 
into  a  young  pine  tree,  and  with  my  knife  to  lop  uff 
the  branches,  and  so  made  a  shelter  from  the  dew.  I 
sweat  much  in  the  night,  so  that  my  linen  was  al 
most  wringing  wet  all  night.  1  scarce  ever  was 
more  weak  and  weary  than  this  evening. 

U3.     I  rode  to  Delaware  town;  arid  found  divers 
drinking  and  drunkon.     I  discoursed  with  some  of 
the  Indians  about  Christianity;  observed  my  inter- 
18 


202  1IFE    OF   BR.1INERD. 

preter  much  engaged  in  his  work;  some  few  persons 
seemed  to  hear  with  great  earnestness.  About  noon 
1  rode  to  a  small  town  of  Shuwaunoes,  about  eight 
miles  distant;  spent  an  hour  or  two  there,  and  return 
ed  to  the  Delaware  town.  Oh,  what  a  dead,  barren, 
unprofitable  wretch  dM  I  now  see  myself  to  be!  My 
spirits  were  so  low,  and  my  bodily  strength  so 
wasted,  that  I  could  do  nothing  at  all.  At  length 
being  much  overdone,  I  lay  down  on  a  buffalo  skin; 
but  sweat  much  the  whole  night. 

"4.  1  discoursed  with  the  Indians  about  Chris 
tianity:  my  interpreter,  afterwards  carrying  on  the 
discourse  to  a  considerable  length:  some  lew  appear 
ed  well  disposed,  and  somewhat  affected.  I  left  this 
place,  and  returned  towards  Shaumoking;  and  at 
night  lodged  in  the  place  where  1  lodged  the  Mon 
day  night  before:  but  my  people  being  belated,  did 
not  come  to  me  till  past  ten  at  night,  so  that  1  had  no 
fire  to  dress  my  victuals,  or  to  keep  me  warm:  and  I 
was  scarce  ever  more  weak  and  worn  out  in  my  life. 

"5.  I  was  so  weak,  that  I  could  scarcely  ride;  it 
seemed  sometimes  as  if  1  must  fall  off  from  my  horse: 
however,  I  got  to  Shaumoking,  towards  night,  and 
felt  thankfulness,  that  God  had  so  far  supported  me. 

"6.  1  spent  the  day  in  a  very  weak  state;  cough 
ing  and  spitting  blood,  and  having  little  appetite  to 
any  food  I  had  with  me;  I  was  able  to  do  very  little 
except  discourse  awhile  of  divine  things  to  my  own 
people,  and  to  some  few  I  met  with. 

"Monday,  Sept.  8.  I  spent  the  forenoon  among 
the  Indians;  in  the  afternoon,  left  Shaumoking,  and 
returned  down  the  river  a  few  miles.  I  had  propos 
ed  to  have  tarried  a  considerable  time  longer  among 
the  Indians  upon  Susquahannah;  but  was  hindered 
by  the  weakly  circumstances  of  my  own  people,  and 
especially  my  own  extraordinary  weakness,  having 
been  exercised  with  great  nocturnal  sweats,  and  a 
coughing  up  of  blood,  in  almost  the  whole  of  the 
journey.  I  was  a  great  part  of 'the  time  so  feeble 
and  faint,  that  it  seemed  as  though  I  never  should  be 
able  to  reach  home;  and  at  the  same  time  destitute 


OF   URAKS'EKD.  £0$ 

of  the  comforts,  yea,  the  necessaries  of  life;  at  least, 
what  was  necessary  for  one  in  so  weak  a  state.  In 
this  journey  I  sometimes  was  enabled  to  speak  the 
word  of  God  with  power,  and  divine  truths  made 
some  impressions  on  divers  that  heard  me;  so  that 
several,  both  men  and  women,  old  and  young,  seem 
ed  to  cleave  to  us,  and  be  well  disposed  towards 
Christianity;  but  others  mocked  and  shouted,  which 
damped  those  who  before  seemed  friendly:  yet  God, 
at  times,  was  evidently  present,  assisting  me,  my  in 
terpreter,  and  other  near  friends  who  were  with  me. 
God  gave  sometimes  a  good  degree  of  freedom  in 
prayer  for  the  ingathering  of  souls  there;  and  I 
could  not  but  entertain  a  strong  hope,  that  the  jour 
ney  should  not  be  wholly  fruitless. 

"9.  I  rode  down  the  river,  near  thirty  miles,  was 
extremely  weak,  much  fatigued,  and  met  with  a 
thunder  storm.  I  discoursed  with  some  warmth  and 
closeness  to  some  poor  ignorant  souls,  on  the  life  ant! 
power  of  religion.  They  seemed  much  astonished, 
when  they  saw  my  Indians  ask  a  blessing,  and  give 
thanks  at  dinner;  concluding  that  a  very  high  evi 
dence  of  'grace  in  them;  but  were  more  astonished 
when  I  insisted,  that  neither  that,  nor  yet  secret 
prayer,  was  any  sure  evidence  of  grace.  Oh  the  ig 
norance  of  the  world!  How  are  some  empty,  outward 
forms,  mistaken  for  true  religion! 

"10.  1  rode  near  twenty  miles  homeward;  and 
was  much  solicited  to  preach,  but  was  utterly  un 
able.  I  was  extremely  overdone  with  the  heat  and 
showers,  and  coughed  up  considerable  quantities  of 
blood. 

"1 1.  I  rode  homeward,  but  was  very  weak,  and 
sometimes  scarce  able  to  ride.  I  had  a 'very  impor 
tunate  invitation  to  preach  at  a  meeting-house  I 
came  by,  but  could  not,  by  reason  of  weakness. 
I  was  resigned  under  my  weakness;  but  was 
much  exercised  for  my  companions  in  travel,  whom 
I  had  left  with  much  regret,  some  lame,  and  some 
sick. 


204  1IFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

"12,  I  rode  about  fifty  miles;  and  came  just  at 
night  to  a  Christian  friend's  house,  about  I \\enty- 
iive  miles  westward  from  Philadelphia.  1  was  kind 
ly  entertained,  and  found  myself  much  refreshed  in 
the  midst  of  my  'weakness  and  fatigues. 

"Lord's-day,  Sept.  14.  1  preached  both  parts  of  the 
day  (but  short,)  from  Luke  xiv,  23.  God  gave 
me  freedom  and  warmth  in  my  discourses;  and  help 
ed  me  to  labor  in  singleness  of  heart.  1  was  much 
tired  in  the  evening,  but  was  comforted  with  the 
most  tender  treatment  I  ever  met  with  in  my  life. 
My  mind  through  the  whole  of  the  day  was  exceed 
ing  calm;  and  I  could  ask  for  nothing  but  that  "the 
will  of  God  might  be  done." 

"17.  1  rode  to  Philadelphia,  but  was  very  weak, 
and  my  cough  and  spitting  of  blood  continued. 

"20.  1  arrived  among  my  own  people;  found 
them  praying  together;  went  in,  and  gave  them  some 
account  of  God's  dealings  with  me  and  my  compan 
ions  in  the  journey.  1  then  prayed  with  them,  and 
the  divine  presence  was  among  us;  divers  were  melt 
ed  into  tears.  Being  very  weak,  I  was  obliged  soon 
to  repair  to  my  lodgings.  Thus  God  has  carried  me 
through  the  fatigues  and  perils  of  another  journey  to 
Siibquahannah,  and  returned  me  again  in  safety, 
though  under  a  great  degree  of  bodily  indisposition. 
Many  hardships  and  distresses  I  endured  in  this 
journey,  but  the  Lord  supported  me  under  them  all." 

It  is  peculiarly  affecting  to  behold  a  spirit  so  no 
bly  ardent  and  zealous  in  the  best  of  causes:,  sinking 
in  the  midst  of  youth,  and  in  the  full  vigor  of  its 
faculties,  under  the  pressure  of  bodily  disease;  to 
observe  a  life  so  admirably  begun,  which  promised 
so  fail',  so  soon  closed:  a  light  so  powerful  arid  steady, 
which  the  Redeemer  seemed  to  hold  as  a  star  in  his 
right-hand,  so  suddenly  quenched  in  the  darkness  of 
the  grave.  But  who  shall  scrutinize  the  high  behests 
of  heaven?  Who  shall  say  unto  God  what  dost  tliou? 
\Vhen  lie  ordains,  the  youthful  traveller  ends  his 
journey,  and  his  sun  goes  down  while  it  is  yet  day: 
the  heart  wanned  with  benevolence  must  be  chilled 


IIFE   OF  BKAItfERt).  205 

With  the  icy  Hand  of  death;  the  tongue  that  utters 
wisdom  and  kindness  must  rest  in  silence  when  he 
the  great  Arbiter  of  life  proclaims  "return  ye 
children  of  man."  But  let  us  with  pious  awe  con 
template  the  last  labors,  and  the  last  hours  of  Brain- 
erd.  And  may  the  sight  of  his  early  tomb  furnish 
the  ministers  of  Jesus  with  a  new  motive  to  work 
while  it  is  called  day,  and  to  work  till  the  close  of  the 
day.  If  Brainerd  had  retired  from  the  field  of  ex 
ertion  before  the  last  year,  what  would  he  not  have 
lost?  That  his  work  was  soon  done  was  his  happi 
ness.  O  God,  if  thou  givest  me  long  life,  may  every 
hour  of  it  be  thine.  But  if  few  are  to  be  the  days  of 
my  mortal  pilgrimage,  let  every  minute  be  improved 
as  an  hour;  and  suffer  me  not  to  go  down  to  the  grave, 
without  the  meed  of  usefulness,  the  cheering,  yet 
humbling  reflection,  that,  as  an  instrument  in  thy 
hand,  I  have  turned  many  to  righteousness. 


CHAPTER  Yin. 

His  illness.  The  suspension  of  Ids  labors.  His 
journey  to  JVew  England.  His  death.  Conclud 
ing  reflections. 

WE  have  seen  with  what  difficulty  Mr.  Brainerd 
performed  his  last  journey.  We  are  now  to  view 
him  closing  the  painful,  weary  journey  of  life,  his 
body  wasting  under  the  influence  of  a  mortal  disease, 
while  he  is  strengthened  with  might  by  the  Spirit  in 
his  inner  man.  The  time  of  his  departure  is  at 
hand:  he  feels  that  he  must  soon  put  off  this  'mortal 
coil.'  But  like  the  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,  he 
will  wear  his  armor  to  the  last;  he  will  fight  against 
Satan's  kingdom  to  the  latest  hour,  and  die,  smiling 
at  the  thought,  that  the  Captain  he  serves  must  he 
victorious.  One  loves  to  visit  the  chamber  where 
the  good  man  meets  his  fate;  and  we  generally  find 
that,  amidst  his  consolations,  this  is  none  of  the 


£06  LIFE    OF   BRAUVERD. 

least,  that  the  cause  of  religion  must  prosper  after  he 
is  gathered  to  his  lathers  and  is  no  more  seen.  This 
is  happily  iiiusiraled  in  the  case  of  Dux  id.  **The 
\vhoJe  earih  shall  he  lull  oi'  his  glory,"  exclaimed 
the  dying  patriarch,  and  he  prayed  no  more,  his  soul 
departed  to  God  who  gave  it.  "I  au>  leaving  tiie 
ship  of  the  church  in  a  storm  (said  Dr,  Owen,)  hut 
while  the  great  Pilot  is  in  it,  the  1< >ss  of  a  poor  un- 
dcrroxver  will  he  inconsiderable."  And  the  friend  of 
Braincrd,  who  wrote  his  life,  and  witnessed  his  h»st 
hours,  says,  "he  expressed  on  his  death-bed  a  full 
persuasion  that  he  should  in  heaven  see  the  prosperi 
ty  of  the  church  on  earth,  and  should  rejoice  with 
Christ  therein,  and  the  consideration  of  it  was  highly 
pleasing  to  his  mind."  One  of  our  poets  has  illus 
trated,  that  the  ruling  passion  is  strong  in  death; 
and  in  the  case  of  Brainerd  it  is  strikingly  exem 
plified;  his  ruling  passion  was  love  to  God,  and  love 
to  souls,  and  it  reigned  xvith  undiminished  predomi 
nance  to  the  last.  While  he  could  walk  and  ride,  he 
went  about  doing  good,  and  while  he  could  speak,  his 
tongue  was  never  silent  in  recommending  to  sinners 
the  Savior  he  so  ardently  wished  them  to  embrace. 
These  remarks  are  confirmed  by  his  diary. 

"Lord's-day,  Sept.  21,  1746.  I  was  so  weak  I 
could  not  preach,  nor  ride  over  to  my  people  in  the 
forenoon.  In  the  afternoon  I  rode  out,  sat  in  my 
chair,  and  discoursed  to  my  people  from  Rom.  xiv, 
7,  8.  I  was  strengthened  in  my  discourse,  and 
there  appeared  something  agreeable  in  the  assembly. 
1  returned  to  my  lodgings  extremely  tired;  but 
thankful,  that  1  had  been  enabled  to  speak  a  word  to 
my  poor  people.  I  was  able  to  sleep  a  little,  through 
weariness  and  pain.  Oh,  how  blessed  should  1  be,  if 
the  little  1  do  were  all  done  with  right  viexvs! 

"27.  I  spent  this  as  the  week  past,  under  a  great 
degree  of  bodily  weakness,  exercised  with  a  violent 
Cough,  and  a  considerable  fever;  had  no  appetite  to 
any  kind  of  food;  and  frequently  brought  up  what  I 
eat,  as  soon  as  it  was  down;  J  xvas  able,  however,  to 
over  to  my  people,  about  two  miles  every  day, 


XIFE    OF   BRAINEHD. 

and  take  some  care  of  those  who  were  then  at  work 
111*011  a  small  house  for  me  to  reside  in  among  the  In 
dians.  1  was  sometimes  scarce  able  to  walk,  and 
never  able  to  sit  up  the  whole  day.  Yet  i  was  calm 
and  composed,  and  Out  iitile  exercised  with  melan 
choly,  as  in  former  seasons.  It  was  many  times  a 
comfort  to  me,  that  life  and  death  did  not  depend 
upon  my  choice,  i  was  pleased  to  think,  that  he 
who  is  infinitely  wise,  had  the  determination  of  this 
matter:  and  that  t  had  no  trouble  to  consider  and 
weigh  things  upon  all  sides,  in  order  to  make  the 
choice,  whether  1  would  live  or  die.  1  could  with 
great  composure  look  death  in  the  face,  and  frequently 
with  sensible  joy.  Oh,  how  blessed  it  is,  to  be  habit 
ually  prepared  for  death!  The  Lord  grant  that  I  may 
be  actually  ready  also. 

"Lord's-day,  Sept.  21.  I  rode  to  my  people; 
and,  though  under  much  weakness,  discoursed  about 
half  an  hour;  at  which  season  divine  power  seemed 
to  attend  the  word;  but  being  extremely  weak,  I  was 
obliged  to  desist,'  arid  after  a  turn  of  faintness,  with 
much  difficulty  rode  to  my  lodgings,  where  betaking 
myself  to  my  bed,  I  lay  in  a  burning  fever,  and  almost 
delirious,  for  several  hours,  till  towards  morning: 
my  fever  went  off  with  a  violent  sweat.  I  have 
often  been  feverish  after  preaching;  but  this  was  the 
most  distressing  turn,  that  ever  preaching  brought 
upon  me.  Yet  I  felt  perfectly  at  rest  in  my  own 
mind,  because  1  had  made  my  utmost  attempts  to 
speak  for  God. 

U30.  Yesterday  and  to-day  I  was  scarce  able  to 
sit  up  half  the  day.  But  I  was  in  a  composed  frame 
and  remarkably  free  from  dejection  and  melancholy; 
as  God  has  been  pleased  to  deliver  me  from  these  un 
happy  glooms,  in  the  general  course  of  my  present 
weakness  hitherto,  and  also  from  a  peevish  spirit. 
O  that  I  may  always  be  able  to  say,  "Lord,  not  my 
will,  but  thine  be  done!" 

"Saturday,  Oct.  4.  I  spent  the  former  part  of 
this  week  im:lcr  a  great  degree  of  disorder  as  J  had 
done  several  weeks  before;  was  able,  however,  to 


208  !IF£    OF  BRAINERD. 

ride  a  little  every  day,  although  unable  to  sit  up 
half  the  day,  and  took  some  care  daily  of  persons 
at  work  upon  my  house.  On  Friday  afternoon  I 
found  myself  wonderfully  revived  and  strengthened; 
and  having  some  time  before  given  notice  to  my  peo 
ple,  and  those  at  the  Forks  of  Delaware  in  particu 
lar,  that  1  designed  to  administer  the  sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  supper  upon  the  first  Sabbath  in  October: 
on  Friday  afternoon,  I  preached  preparatory  to  the 
sacrament  from  2  Cor.  xiii,  5.  1  was  surprisingly 
strengthened  in  my  work  while  I  was  speaking;  but 
was  obliged  immediately  after  to  repair  to  bed,  being 
now  removed  into  my  own  house  among  the  Indians; 
which  gave  me  such  speedy  relief,  as  1  could  not 
well  have  lived  without.  I  spent  some  time  on 
Friday  night  in  conversing  with  my  people  as  I  lay 
upon  my  bed;  and  found  my  soul  refreshed.  This 
being  Saturday,  I  discoursed  particularly  with  divers 
of  the  communicants;  and  this  afternoon  preached 
from  Zcch.  xii,  10.  There  seemed  to  be  a  tender 
melting,  and  hearty  mourning  for  sin  in  the  congre 
gation.  My  soul  was  in  a  comfortable  frame,  and  1 
was  myself,  as  well  as  most  of  the  congregation, 
much  affected  with  the  humble  confession,  and  appa 
rent  broken-  heartedness  of  a  backslider;  and  could 
not  but  rejoice,  that  God  had  given  hina  such  a  sense 
of  his  sin  and  unworthiness.  I  was  extremely  tired 
in  the  evening;  but  lay  on  my  bed  and  discoursed  to 
my  people. 

«Lord's-day,  Oct.  5.  I  was  still  very  weak;  and 
in  the  morning  afraid  I  should  not  be  able  to  go* 
through  the  work  of  the  day.  I  discoursed  before 
the  administration  of  the  sacrament  from  John  i,29, 
•Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world.' — The  divine  presence  attended  this 
discourse,  and  the  assembly  was  considerably  melted. 
After  sermon  I  baptized  two  persons,  and  then  ad 
ministered  the  LordVsupper  to  near  forty  communi 
cants  of  the  Indians,  besides  divers  dear  Christians 
of  the  white  people.  It  was  a  season  of  divine,  power 
and  grace;  and  numbers  rejoiced  in  Gcd.  Oh,  the 


UFE    OF  BRAINERD.  209 

sweet  union  and  harmony  then  appearing  among  the 
religious  people!  My  soul  was  refreshed,  and  my 
friends  of  the  white  people  with  me.  After  the  sa 
crament  I  could  scarcely  get  home;  but  was  support 
ed  by  my  friends,  and  laid  on  my  bed;  where  1  lay 
in  pain  till  the  evening:  and  then  was  able  to  set  up 
and  discourse  with  my  friends.  Oh,  how  was  this 
day  spent  in  prayers  and  praises  among  my  dear 
people!  One  might  hear  them  ail  the  morning  before 
pubJic  worship,  and  in  the  evening  till  near  midnight, 
praying  and  singing  praises  to  God,  in  one  or  other 
of  their  houses. 

"ll.  Towards  night  I  was  seized  with  an  ague, 
which  was  followed  with  a  hard  fever,  and  much 
pain:  I  was  treated  with  great  kindness,  and  was 
ashamed  to  see  so  much  concern  about  so  unworthy 
a  creature.  L  was  in  a  comfortable  frame  of  mind, 
wholly  submissive,  with  regard  to  life  or  death.  It 
was  indeed  a  peculiar  satisfaction  to  me,  to  think,  that 
it  was  not  my  business  to  determine  whether  1 
should  live  or  die.  1  likewise  felt  peculiarly  satisfied, 
while  under  this  uncommon  degree  of  disorder;  be 
ing  now  fully  convinced  of  my  being  really  unable 
to  perform  my  work.  Oh,  how  precious  is  time! 
And  how  guilty  it  makes  me  feel,  when  1  think  I 
have  trifled  away  and  misemployed  it,  or  neglected 
to  fill  up  each  part  of  it  with  duly,  to  the  utmost  of 
my  ability! 

"19.     I   was   willing   eilher  to  die  or  live;    but 

found  it  hard  to  think  of  living  useless.     Oh  that  I 

,  might  never  live  to  be  a  burden  to  God's  creation; 

but  that,  I  might  be  allowed  to  repair  home,  when  my 

sojourning  work  is  done! 

*<24.  i  spent  the  day  in  overseeing  and  direct 
ing  my  people  about  mending  their  fence,  and  secur 
ing  their  wheat. — 1  was  somewhat  refreshed  in  the 
evening,  having  been  able  to  do  something  valuable 
in  the  day-time.  Oh,  how  it  pains  me,  to  see  time 
pass  away,  when  I  can  do  nothing  to  any  purpose! 

U25.  I  visited  some  of  my  people:  spent  some 
time  in  writing,  and  felt  much  better  in  body,  than 


£10  1IFE    OF   BRAINEKD. 

usual:  when  it  was  near  night,  I  felt  so  well,  that  I 
had  thoughts  of  expounding1:  but  in  the  evening  was 
much  disordered  again,  and  spent  the  night  in 
coughing  and  spitting  of  hlood. 

"Lord's-day,  Oct.  26.  In  the  morning  I  was  ex 
ceeding  weak  and  spent  the  day  till  near  night,  in 
pain  to  see  my  poor  people  wandering  as  sheep  not 
having  a  shepherd.  But  towards  night  finding  my 
self  a  little  better,  1  called  them  together  to  my 
house,  and  sat  down,  and  read  and  expounded  Matt. 
v,  1 — 16.  This  discourse,  though  delivered  in 
much  weakness,  was  attended  with  power;  especially 
w  hat  was  spoken  upon  the  last  of  these  verses,  where 
I  insisted  on  the  infinite  wrong  done  to  religion,  by 
having  our  light  become  darkness,  instead  of  shining- 
before  men.  As  many  were  deeply  affected  with  a 
sense  of  their  deficiency,  in  regard  of  a  spiritual 
conversation,  and  a  spirit  of  concern  and  watchful 
ness  seemed  to  be  excited  in  them:  so  there  was  one 
that  had  fallen  into  drunkenness,  some  time  before, 
who  was  now  deeply  convinced  of  his  sin,  and  dis 
covered  a  great  degree  of  grief  and  concern  on  that 
account.  My  soul  was  refreshed  to  see  this.  And 
though  1  had  no  strength  to  speak  so  much  as  I 
would  have  done,  but  was  obliged  to  He  down  on  the 
bed:  yet  i  rejoiced  to  see  such  a  humble  melting  in 
the  congregation;  aiid  that  divine/  truths,  though 
faintly  delivered,  were  attended  with  so  much 
efficacy. 

•427.  I  spent  the  day  in  directing  the  Indians 
about  mending  the  fence  round  their  wheat;  and 
was  able  to  walk  with  them,  and  contrive  their  bu 
siness  all  the  forenoon*  In  the  afternoon  1  was 
visited  by  two  dear  friends,  and  spent  some  time  in 
conversation  with  them.  Towards  night  I  was  able 
to  walkout,  and  take  care  of  the  Indians  again. 

"28.  I  rode  to  Princeton,  in  a  very  weak  state: 
had  sucii  a  violent  fever  by  the  way,  that  1  was 
forced  to  alight  at  a  friend's  house  and  lie  down  for 
some  time.  Near  night  I  was  visited  by  Mr.  Treat, 
Mr.  lieaty.  and  his  wife,  and  another  friend:  my 


J.IEE    OF  BRAINERD.  211 

spirits  were  refreshed  to  see  them;  but  I  was  sur 
prised  and  even  ashamed,  that  they  had  taken  so 
much  pains  as  to  ride  thirty  or  forty  miles  to  see 
me. 

"Nov.  1.  I  took  leave  of  my  friends  and  re 
turned  home. 

"Lord's-day,  Nov.  2.  I  was  unable  to  preach, 
and  scarcely  able  to  sit  up  the  whole  day.  I  was 
almost  sunk  to  see  my  poor  people  destitute  of  the 
means  of  grace;  and  especially  considering  they 
could  not  read,  and  so  were  under  great  disadvanta 
ges  for  spending  the  Sabbath  comfortably.  Oh,  me- 
thought,  I  could  be  contented  to  be  sick,  if  my  poor 
flock  had  a  faithful  pastor  to  feed  them.  A  view  of 
their  want  of  this  was  more  afflictive  to  me  than  all 
my  bodily  illness. 

**3.  Being  now  in  so  low  a  state,  that  I  was  ut 
terly  incapable  of  performing  my  work,  and  having 
little  hope  of  recovery*  unless  by  much  riding,  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  take  a  journey  into  New  Eng 
land.  I  accordingly  took  leave  of  my  congregation 
this  day.  Before  I  left  my  people,  I  visited  them  all 
in  their  respective  houses,  and  discoursed  to  each 
one,  as  I  thought  most  suitable  for  their  circumstan 
ces,  and  found  great  freedom  in  so  doing:  1  scarce 
left  one  house  but  some  were  in  tears,  not  only  affect 
ed  with  my  being  about  to  leave  them,  but  with  the 
solemn  addresses  I  made:  for  I  was  helped  to  be  fer 
vent  in  spirit.  When  I  had  thus  gone  through  my 
congregation  (which  took  me  most  of  the  day)  and 
had  taken  leave  of  them,  and  of  the  school,  I  rode 
about  two  miles  to  the  house  where  1  lived  in  the 
summer  past,  and  there  lodged. 

"4.  I  rode  to  Woodbridge,  and  lodged  with  Mr. 
Pier  son. 

"5.  I  rode  to  Elizabethtown,  intending  as  soon 
as  possible  to  prosecute  ray  journey.  But  I  was  in 
an  hour  or  two  taken  much  worse.  For  near  a  week 
I  was  confined  to  my  chamber,  and  most  of  the  time 
to  my  bed;  and  then  so  far  revived  as  to  be  able  to 


212  1IFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

walk  about  the  house;  but  was  still  confined  \\ithin 
doors. 

"1  was  enabled  to  maintain  a  calm,  composed,  and 
patient  spirit,  as  1  had  from  the  beginning  of  my 
weakness.  After  1  had  been  in  Elizahethtovtn  about 
a  fortnight,  and  had  so  far  recovered  that  I  was  able 
to  walk  about  the,  house,  upon  a  day  of  thanksgiving 
kept  in  this  place,  I  was  enabled  to  recount  the  mer 
cies  of  God,  in  such  a  manner  as  greatly  affected  me, 
and  filled  me  with  thankfulness  to  God:  especially 
for  his  work  of  grace  among  the  Indians,  and  the 
enlargement  of  his  kingdom.  'Lord,  glorify  thyself,' 
v\as  the  cry  of  my  soul.  O  that  all  people  might  love 
and  praise  the  blessed  God. 

"After  this  comfortable  season,  I  frequently  en 
joyed  enlargement  of  soul  in  prayer  for  my  dear  con 
gregation,  very  often  for  every  family,  and  every 
person  in  particular;  and  it  was  a  great  comfort  to 
me,  that  1  could  pray  heartily  to  God  for  those  whom 
I  was  not  allowed  to  see. 

"In  the  latter  end  of  December,  I  grew  still  weak, 
and  continued  to  do  so,  till  the  latter  end  of  January 
1746 — 7.  And  having  a  violent  cough,  a  consider 
able  fever,  and  no  appetite  for  any  mariner  of 
food,  I  was  reduced  to  so  low  a  state,  that  my  friends 
generally  despaired  of  my  life;  and  for  some  time  to 
gether,  thought  I  could  scarcely  live  a  day  to  an  end. 

"On  Lord's-day,  Feb  1.  «lf  ye,  being  evil,  know 
liow  to  give  good  gifts  to  your  children,  how  much 
more  will  your  heavenly  Father  give  the  Holy  Spir 
it  to  them  that  ask  him?'  This  text  I  was  helped  to 
plead,  and  saw  the  divine  faithfulness  engaged  for 
dealing  with  me  better  than  any  earthly  parent  can 
do  with  his  child.  This  season  so  refreshed  my  soul, 
that  my  body  seemed  also  to  be  a  gainer  by  it.  And 
from  this  time  1  began  gradually  to  amend.  And  as 
I  recovered  some  strength,  vigor,  and  spirit,  1  found 
at  times  seine  life  in  the  exercises  of  devotion,  and 
longings  after  spirituality  and  a  life  of  usefulness. 

"24.  I  \vas  able  to  ride  as  far  as  Newark,  (having 
been  confined  within  Elizabcthtown  almost  four 
months,)  and  the  next  day  returned  to  Elizabeth- 


1IFE    OF   BRAINERD.  213 

town.     My  spirits  were  somewhat  refreshed  with 
the  ride,  though  my  body  was  weary. 

"28.  1  was  visited  by  an  Indian  of  my  own  con 
gregation,  who  brought  me  letters,  and  good  news  of 
the  behavior  of  my  people  in  general;  this  refreshed 
my  soul,  and  I  could  not  but  retire  and  bless  God 
for  his  goodness. 

"March  H,  being  kept  in  Elizabethtown  as  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  I  was  able  to  attend  public 
worship,  which  was  the  first  time  since  December 
21.  Oh,  how  much  distress  did  God  carry  me 
through  in  this  space  of  time!  But  having  obtained 
help  from  him,  I  yet  live:  oh  that  I  could  live  to  his 
glory! 

"18.  I  rode  to  my  people:  and  on  Friday  morn 
ing  walked  about  among  them,  and  inquired  into 
their  state  and  concerns;  and  found  an  additional 
weight  on  my  spirits  upon  hearing  some  things  dis 
agreeable.  I  endeavored  to  go  to  God  with  my  dis 
tresses:  but  notwithstanding  my  mind  continued 
very  gloomy.  About  ten  o'clock,  I  called  my  people 
together,  and  after  having  explained  and  sung  a 
psalm,  (  prayed  with  them.  There  was  a  consider 
able  deal  of  affection  among  them;  I  doubt  not,  that 
which  was  more  than  merely  natural." 

This  was  the  last  interview  that  he  ever  had  with 
his  people.  About  eleven  o'clock  the  same  day,  he 
left  them:  and  the  next  day  came  to  Elizabethtown. 

"28.  I  was  taken  this  morning  with  a  violent 
griping.  These  pains  were  extreme  and  constant 
for  several  hours;  so  that  it  seemed  impossible  for 
me,  without  a  miracle,  to  live  twenty-four  hours. 
lay  confined  to  my  bed  the  whole  day;  but  it  picascu 
God  to  bless  means  for  the  abatement  of  my  distress. 
I  was  exceedingly  weakened  by  this  pain,  and  contin 
ued  so  for  several  days  following.  In  this  distressed 
rase,  death  appeared  agreeable  to  me,  as  an  entrance 
into  a  place  < where  the  weary  are  at  rest;'  and  I 
had  some  relish  of  the  entertainments  of  the  heavenly 
stat;*;  so  that  J>y  these  I  was  allured  and  drawn,  as 
well  as  driven  by  the  fatigues  of  life.  Oh  how  happy 
19 


214  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

it  is,  to  be  drawn  by  desires  of  a  slate  of  perfect 
holiness. 

"April  4.  I  was  uneasy  by  reason  of  the  misem- 
ployment  of  time;  and  yet  knew  not  what  to  do!  I 
Jonged  to  spend  time  in  fasting  and  prayer;  but  alas, 
I  had  no  bodily  strength!  Oh,  how  blessed  a  thing 
is  it,  to  enjoy  peace  of  conscience!  How  dreadful  is 
a  want  of  inward  peace!  It  is  impossible,  1  find,  to 
enjoy  this  happiness  without  redeeming  time,  and 
maintaining  a  spiritual  frame  of  mind. 

"Lord's-day,  April  5.  It  grieved  me  to  find  my 
self  so  inconceivably  barren.  My  soul  thirsted  for 
grace;  but  alas,  how  far  was  I  from  obtaining 
what  I  saw  so  excellent!  I  was  ready  to  despair  of 
ever  being  holy;  and  yet  my  soul  was  desirous  of 
following  hard  after  God:  but  never  did  1  see  myself 
so  far  from  having  apprehended,  or  being  already 
perfect.  The  Lord's  supper  being  this  day  adminis 
tered,  in  the  season  of  communion  J  enjoyed  warmth 
of  affection,  and  felt  a  tender  love  to  the  brethren; 
and  to  the  glorious  Redeemer,  the  first  born  among 
them.  I  endeavored  then  to  bring  forth  mine  and 
his  enemies,  and  slay  them  before  him;  and  found 
great  freedom  in  begging  deliverance  from  this  spir 
itual  death,  as  well  as  in  asking  favors  for  my  friends, 
and  congregation,  and  the  church  of  Christ  in  gen 
eral. 

"17.  In  the  evening,  God  helped  me  to  'draw 
near  to  the  throne  of  grace,'  and  gave  me  a  sense  of 
his  favor,  which  gave  rne  inexpressible  support  and 
encouragement;  I  could  not  but  rejoice,  that  ever 
God  should  discover  his  reconciled  face  to  such  a 
vile  sinner.  Shame  and  confusion,  at  times,  covered 
me;  and  tken  hope,  and  joy,  and  admiration  of 
divine  goodness. 

««2l.  I  set  out  on  my  journey  for  New-England; 
I  travelled  to  New-York  and  there  lodged. 

"Lord's-day,  May- 10.  (At  liadlime,)  I  could  not 
hut  feel  gratitude  to  God,  that  he  had  always  dis 
posed  me,  in  my  ministry,  to  insist  on  the  great  doc 
trines  of  regeneration,  a  new  creature,  faith  in 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  215 

Christ,  progressive  sanctification,  supreme  love  to 
God,  living  entirely  to  the  glory  of  God,  being  not 
our  own,  and  the  like.  God  has  helped  me  to  see, 
from  time  to  time,  that  these,  and  the  like  doctrines 
necessarily  connected  with  them,  are  the  only  foun 
dation  of  safety  and  salvation  for  perishing  sinners; 
and  that  those  divine  dispositions  which  are  conso 
nant  hereto,  are  that  holiness  'without  which  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord.'  The  exercise  of  these  god-like 
tempers,  wherein  the  soul  acts  in  a  kind  of  concert 
with  God,  and  would  he  arid  do  every  thing  that  is 
pleasing  to  God;  this,  I  saw,  would  stand  by  the 
soul  in  a  dying  hour;  for  God  must  deny  himself,  if 
he  cast  away  his  own  image,  even  the  soul  that  is 
one  in  desires  with  himself. 

"Lord's-day,  May  17.  Though  I  felt  much  dul- 
ness  this  week,  yet  I  had  some  glimpses  of  the  excel 
lency  of  divine  things;  and  especially  one  morning, 
the  beauty  of  holiness,  as  a  likeness  to  the  glorious 
God,  was  so  discovered  to  me,  that  1  longed  earnestly 
to  be  in  that  world  where  holiness  dwells  in  perfec 
tion,  that  1  might  please  God,  live  entirely  to  him, 
and  glorify  him  to  the  utmost  stretch  of  my  capaci 
ties. 

"Lord's-day,  May  24.  (At  Longmeadow,  in 
Springfield.)  I  could  not  but  think,  as  I  have  often 
remarked  to  others,  that  much  more  of  true  religion 
consists  in  deep  humility,  brokenness  of  heart,  and  an 
abasing  sense  of  want  of  holiness,  than  most  who  arc 
called  Christians  imagine." 

28.  He  arrived  at  Northampton,  and  took  up  his 
abode  with  president  Edwards,  and  the  following  de 
lightful  eulogy  on  his  character  was  written  by  this 
most  eminent  servant  of  Christ,  and  inserted  in  his 
life,  of  which  this  is  chiefly  an  abridgment. 

"I  had  much  opportunity  before  this  of  particular 
information  concerning  him,  bat  now  I  had  opportu 
nity  fora  more  full  acquaintance  with  him.  I  found 
him  remarkably  sociable,  pleasant,  and  entertaining 
in  his  conversation;  yet  solid,  savory,  spiritual,  and 
very  profitable:  appearing  meek,  modest,  and  hum- 


:LIFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

ble,  far  from  any  stiffness,  moroseness,  superstitious 
clemureness,  or  affected  singularity  in  speech  or  be 
havior.  We  enjoyed  not  only  the  benefit  of  his  con 
versation,  but  hud  the  comfort  of  hearing  him  pray 
in  the  family,  from  time  to  time.  His  manner  of 
praying  was  becoming  a  worm  of  the  dust,  and  a  dis 
ciple  of  Christ,  addressing  an  infinitely  great  and 
holy  God,  and  Father  of  mercies;  not  with  florid  ex 
pressions,  or  a  studied  eloquence:  not  with  any  in 
temperate  vehemence,  or' indecent  boldness:  at  the 
greatest  distance  from  any  appearance  of  ostentation, 
and  from  every  thing  that  might  look  as  though  he 
meant  to  recommend  himself  to  those  that  were  about 
him,  or  set  himself  off  to  their  acceptance;  free  from 
vain  repetitions,  without  impertinent  excursions,  or 
needless  multiplying  of  wprcis.  He  expressed  himself 
with  the  strictest  propriety,  with  weight  and  pun 
gency;  and  yet  what  his  lips  uttered  seemed  to  flow 
from  the  fulness  of  his  heart,  as  deeply  impressed 
with  a  great  and  solemn  sense  of  our  necessities, 
unworthiness,  and  dependence,  and  on  God's  infinite 
greatness,  excellency,  and  sufficiency,  rather  than 
merely  from  a  warm  and  fruitful  brain.  And  1  know 
not,  that  ever!  heard  him  so  much  as  ask  a  blessing 
or  return  thanks  at  a  table,  but  there  was  something 
remarkable  to  be  observed  both  in  the  matter  and 
manner  of  the  performance.  In  his  prayers  he  in 
sisted  much  on  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  the  advance 
ment  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  the  world,  and  the 
flourishing,  and  propagation  of  religion  among  the 
Indians.  And  be  generally  made  it  one  petition  in 
his  prayer,  'that  we  might  not  outlive  our  usefulness.' 
"This  week  he  consulted  Dr  Mather,  at  my  house, 
concerning  his  illness;  who  plainly  told  him  there 
were  great  evidences  of  his  being  in  a  confirmed  con 
sumption,  and  that  he  could  give  him  no  encourage 
ment,  that  he  should  ever  recover.  But  it  seemed 
not  to  occasion  the  leasfrliscomposure  in  him,  nor  to 
make  any  alteration  as  to  the  freedom  or  pleasant 
ness  of  his  conversation," 


LIFE    OF   BUilSEHD.  217 

Being  advised  by  his  physician  still  to  continue 
riding,  lie  final!)'  determined  on  a  visit  to  Boston, 
and  on  the  9tli  of  June,  he  began  this  journey  ac 
companied  by  one  of  Mr.  Edwards's  family.  His 
diary  unfolds  the  state  of  his  health,  and  of  his  mind, 
\vith  the  circumstances  which  occurred  during  his 
journey. 

"June  9.  I  set  out  on  a  journey  from  Northamp 
ton  to  Boston.  Having  now  continued  to  ride  for 
some  considerable  time,  I  felt  myself  much  better, 
and  I  found,  that  in  proportion  to  the  prospect  I  had 
of  being  restored  to  a  state  of  usefulness,  so  1  de 
sired  the  continuance  of  life;  but  death  appeared  in 
conceivably  more  desirable  to  me  than  a  useless 
life:  yet  blessed  be  God,  I  found  my  heart  fully  re 
signed  to  this  greatest  of  afflictions,  if  God  saw  fit 
thus  to  deal  with  me. 

"12.  I  arrived  in  Boston  this  day,  somewhat  fa 
tigued  with  my  journey,  There  is  no  rest,  but  in 
God;  fatigues  of  body,  and  anxieties  of  mind  attend 
us,  both  in  town  and  country. 

"18.  I  was  taken  exceedingly  ill,  and  brought  to 
the  gates  of  death  by  the  breaking  of  small  ulcers  in 
my  lungs,  as  my  physicians  supposed.  In  this  ex 
tremely  weak  state  I  continued  several  weeks,  and 
was  frequently  so  low,  as  to  be  utterly  speechless: 
and  even  after  I  had  so  far  revived  as  to  step  out  of 
doors,  f  was  exercised  with  a  faint  turn,  which  con 
tinued  usually  four  or  five  hours!  at  \\hicli  times, 
though  I  could  say  yes  or  no.  yet  I  could  not  speak 
one  sentence,  without  making  stops  for  breath:  and 
divers  times  in  this  season,  my  friends  gathered  round 
my  bed  to  see  me  breathe  my  last. 

"How  I  was  the  first  day  or  f.vvo  of  my  illness,  with 
regard  to  the  exercise  of  reason,  I  scarcely  know;  but 
the  third  day,  and  constantly  afterwards  for  four  or 
five  weeks  together,  I  enjoyed  much  serenity  of  mind, 
and  clearness  of  thought,  as  perhaps  1  ever  did  in 
my  life:  and  1  think,  my  mind  never  penetrated  with 
so  much  ease  and  freedom  into  divine  thines,  and  I 
#19 


218  X.IFS    OE   BRAINEKJD. 

never  felt  so  capable  of  demonstrating   the  truth  of 
many  important  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  as  now. 

"As  God  was  pleased  to  afford  me  clearness  of 
thought  almost  continually  for  several  weeks  togeth 
er,  so  he  enabled  me,  in  some  measure,  to  employ 
my  time  to  valuable  purposes.  I  was  enabled  to 
write  a  number  of  important  letters  fo  friends  in 
remote  places;  and  sometimes  1  wrote  when  1  was 
speechless,  i.  e.  unable  to  maintain  conversation 
with  any  body.  Besides  this  1  had  many  visitants; 
with  whom,  when  1  was  able  to  speak,  i  always  con 
versed  of  the  things  of  religion;  and  was  peculiarly 
assisted  in  distinguishing  between  true  and  false  re 
ligion.  And  especially,  I  discoursed  repeatedly  on 
the  nature  and  necessity  of  that  humiliation,  self- 
emptiness,  or  full  conviction  of  a  person's  being  ut 
terly  undone  in  himself,  which  is  necessary  in  order 
to  a  saving  faith,  and  the  extreme  difficulty  of  being 
brought  to  this,  and  the  great  danger  there  is  of 
persons  taking  up,  with  some  self-righteous  appear 
ances  of  it.  The  danger  of  this  1  especially  dwelt 
upon,  being  persuaded  that  multitudes  perish  in  this 
hidden  way;  and  because  so  little  is  said  from  most 
pulpits  to  discover  any  danger  here;  so  that  persons 
being  never  effectually  brought  to  die  to  themselves, 
arc  never  truly  united  to  Christ.  I  also  discoursed 
much  on  what  I  take  to  be  the  essence  of  true  relig 
ion,  that  god-like  temper  and  disposition  of  soul,  and 
that  holy  conversation  and  behavior  that  may  justly 
claim  the  honor  of  having  God  for  its  original  and 
patron.  And  I  have  reason  to  hope  God  blessed  my 
discourses  to  some,  both  ministers  and  people;  so 
that  my  time  was  not  wholly  lost." 
,  While  he  was  at  Boston,  he  was  requested  by  the 
commissioners  of  a  society  for  propagating  the  Gos 
pel  in  New  England,  and  places  adjacent,  to  recom 
mend  to  them  two  missionaries,  and  they  also  con 
sulted  him  on  the  propriety  of  sending  them  to  those 
Indians  called  the  Six  Nations.  His  advice  greatly 
pleased  them,  and  they  entertained  very  high  ideas 
of  his  prudence  and  piety.  About  this  time  he  wrote 


LIFE    OF  BRAINERD.  £19 

from  Boston  the  following  interesting  and  affection 
ate  letters,  to  which  he  refers  in  the  last  page;  the 
first  to  his  brother  Israel,  who  was  then  at  college; 
the  second  to  a  young  gentleman,  a  candidate  for  the 
ministry:  and  the  last  to  his  brother  John  at  Bethel, 
the  town  of  Christian  Indians,  in  Mew  Jersey. 

To  his  brother  Israel,  at  college,  written  a  few 
months  before  his  death. 

Boston,  June  30,  1747. 
"My  dear  Brother, 

"it  is  from  the  side  of  eternity  I  now  address  you. 
I  am  heartily  sorry,  that  I  have  so  little  strength  to 
write  what  I  long  to  communicate  to  you.  Hut  let 
me  tell  you  my  brother,  eternity  is  another  thing 
than  we  ordinarily  take  it  to  be.  Oh,  how  vast  and 
boundless!  Oh,  how  fixed  and  unutterable!  Oh,  of 
what  infinite  importance  is  it  that  we  be  prepared 
for  eternity!  I  have  been  just  dying  for  more  than 
a  week;  and  all  around  me  have  thought  so.  But  in 
this  time  1  have  had  clear  views  of  eternity;  have 
seen  the  blessedness  of  the  godly;  and  have  longed 
to  share  their  happy  state;  as  well  as  been  comfort 
ably  satisfied,  that  I  shall  do  so;  but  oh,  what  an 
guish  is  raised  in  my  mind,  to  think  of  an  eternity 
'for  those  who  are  Christless,  for  those  who  bring 
their  false  hopes  to  the  grave  with  them!  The  sight 
was  so  dreadful,  I  could  by  no  means  bear  it:  my 
thoughts  recoiled,  and  I  said,  'Who  can  dwell  with 
everlasting  burnings!7  Oh,  methought,  that  I  could 
now  see  my  friends,  that  1  might  warn  them,  to  see 
to  it,  that  they  lay  their  foundation  for  eternity. 
And  you,  my  dear  brother,  1  have  been  particularly 
concerned  for;  and  have  wondered  1  so  much  neg 
lected  conversing  with  you  about  your  spiritual 
state  at  our  last  meeting.  Oh,  let  me  beseech  you 
now  to  examine,  whether  you  are  indeed  a  new  crea 
ture?  Whether  the  glory  of  God  has  ever  been  the 
highest  concern  with  you?  Whether  you  have  ever 
been  reconciled  to  all  the  perfections  of  God?  In  a 
word  whether  God  has  been  your  portion,  and  holy 


220  1IFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

conformity  to  him  your  chief  delight?  If  you  have 
reason  to  think  you  are  graceless,  oh  give  yourself 
and  the  throne  of  grace  no  rest  till  God  arise  and 
save  you.  But  if  the  case  should  be  otherwise,  bless 
God  lor  his  grace,  and  press  after  holiness. 

"Oh,  my  dear  brother,  flee  fleshly  lusts,  and  the 
enchanting  amusements,  as  well  as  corrupt  doctrines 
of  (he  present  day;  and  strive  to  live  to  God.  Take 
this  as  the  last  line  from 

Your  affectionate,  dying  brother, 

DAVID  BIIAINERD." 

To  a  young  gentleman  candidate  for  the  ministry: 
written  at  the  same  time  as  above. 

"Very  dear  Sir, 

"How  amazing  it  is  that  the  living,  who  know  they 
must  die,  should  notwithstanding  'put  far  away  the 
evil  day,'  in  a  season  of  health  and  prosperity,  and 
live  at  such  an  awful  distance  from  the  grave,  and 
the  great  concerns  beyond  it!  And  especially,  that 
any  whose  minds  have  been  divinely  enlightened,  to 
behold  the  important  things  of  eternity,  should  live 
in  this  manner!  And  yet,  sir,  how  frequently  is  this 
the  case?  How  rare  are  the  instances  of  those  who 
live  and  act,  from  day  to  day,  as  on  the  verge  of 
eternity;  striving  to  fill  up  all  their  remaining  mo 
ments  in  the  service,  and  to  the  honor  of  their  great 
Master?  We  insensibly  trifle  away  time,  while  we 
seem  to  have  enough  of  it;  and  are  so  strangely 
amused,  as  in  a  great  measure,  to  lose  a  sense  of  the 
holiness  necessary  to  prepare  us  to  be  inhabitants  of 
the  heavenly  paradise.  But,  oh,  dear  sir,  a  dying 
bed,  if  we  enjoy  our  reason,  will  give  another  viewr 
of  things.  I  have  now,  for  mure  than  three  weeks, 
lain  under  the  greatest  weakness;  the  greater  part 
of  the  time,  expecting  daily  and  hourly  to  enter  into 
the  eternal  world;  sometimes  I  have  been  so  far 
gone,  as  to  be  speechless  for  some  hours  together. 
And,  oh,  of  what  vast  importance  has  a  holy  spirit 
ual  life  appeared  to  me  in  this  season!  1  have  longed 
to  call  upon  all  my  friends,  to  make  it  their  business 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

to  live  to  God;  and  especially  all  that  are  designed 
for  or  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  sanctuary.  O, 
dear  sir,  do  not  think  it  enough  to  live  at  the  rate  of 
common  Christians.  Alas,  to  how  little  purpose  do 
they  often  converse,  when  they  meet  together!  The 
visits,  even  of  those  who  are  called  Christians 
indeed,  are  frequently  quite  barren;  and  conscience 
cannot  hut  condemn  us  for  the  misemployment  of 
time,  while  we  have  been  conversant  with  them.  But 
the  way  to  enjoy  the  divine  presence,  and  he  fitted 
for  his  service  is  to  live  a  life  of  great  devction  and 
constant  self-dedication  to  him;  observing  the  mo 
tions  and  dispositions  of  our  own  hearts,  whence  we 
may  learn  the  corruptions  that  lodge  there,  and  our 
constant  need  of  help  from  God,  for  the  performance 
of  the  least  duty.  And  oh,  dear  sir,  let  me  beseech 
you  frequently  to  attend  to  the  great  and  precious 
duties  of  secret  fasting  and  prayer. 

"1  have  a  secret  thought,  from  some  things  I  have 
observed,  that  God  may  perhaps  design  you  for  some 
singular  service  in  the  world.  O  then  labor  to  be 
prepared  and  qualified  to  do  much  for  God.  Suffer 
me  to  intreat  you  earnestly  to  'give  yourself  to 
prayer,  to  reading  and  meditation'  on  divine  truths: 
strive  to  penetrate  to  the  bottom  of  them,  and  never 
be  content  with  a  superficial  knowledge.  By  this 
means  your  thoughts  will  grow  weighty  and  judi 
cious;  and  you  thereby  will  be  possessed  of  a  valua 
ble  treasure,  out  of  which  you  may  produce  'things 
new  and  old,'  to  the  glory  of  God. 

"And  now  *I  commend  you  to  the  grace  of  God;* 
earnestly  desiring  that  a  plentiful  portion  of  the  di 
vine  Spirit  may  rest  upon  you;  that  you  may  live  to 
God  in  every  capacity,  and  do  abundant  for  him  in 
public,  if  it  be  his  will;  and  that  you  may  be  richly 
qualified  «fbr  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light.' 

"I  scarcely  expect  to  see  your  face  any  more  in  the 
body;  and  therefore  intreat  you  to  accept  this  as  the 
last  token  of  love,  from 

Your  sincerely  affectionate,  dying  friend, 

DATID  B&AINERD." 


XIFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

To  his  brother  John  at  Bethel,  the  town  of  Chris 
tian  Indians,  in  New  Jersey,  written  at  Boston  be 
fore  his  death. 

"/tear  Brother, 

"1  am  now  just  on  the  verge  of  eternity,  expect 
ing  very  speedily  to  appear  in  the  unseen  world.  I 
feel  myself  no  more  an  inhabitant  on  earth,  and 
sometimes  earnestly  long  to  'depart  and  be  with 
Christ.'  1  bless  God,  ho  has  for  some  years  given 
me  an  abiding  conviction,  that  it  is  impossible  for 
any  rational  creature  to  enjoy  true  happiness  with 
out  being  entirely  devoted  to  him.  Under  the  influ 
ence  of  this  conviction,  1  have  in  some  measure  act 
ed:  oh  that  I  had  done  more  so!  1  saw  both  the  ex 
cellency  and  necessity  of  holiness;  but  never  in  such 
a  manner  as  now,  when  1  am  just  brought  to  the 
side  of  the  grave.  Oh,  my  brother,  pursue  after  ho 
liness!  press  toward  the  blessed  mark;  and  let  your 
thirsty  soul  continually  say,  «I  shall  never  be  satis 
fied  (ill  I  awake  in  thy  likeness/ 

"And  now  my  dear  brother,  as  I  must  press  you 
to  pursue  after  personal  holiness,  to  be  as  much  in 
fasting  and  prayer  as  your  health  will  allow,  and  to 
live  above  the  rate  of  common  Christians:  so  I  must 
intreat  you  to  attend  to  your  public  work;  labor  to 
distinguish  between  true  and  false  religion:  and  to 
that  end,  watch  the  motions  of  God's  Spirit  upon 
your  own  heart;  look  to  him  for  help,  and  impar 
tially  compare  your  experiences  with  his  word. 

"Charge  my  people,  in  the  name  of  their  dying 
minister,  yea,  in  the  name  of  Him  who  was  dead 
and  is  alive:  to  live  and  walk  as  become  the  Gospel, 
Tell  them  how  great  the  expectations  of  God  and 
his  people  are  from  them,  and  how  awfully  they  will 
wound  God's  cause  if  they  fall  into  vice;  as  well  as 
fatally  prejudice  other  poor  Indians.  Always  in 
sist,  that  their  joys  are  delusive,  although  they  may 
have  been  wrapt  up  into  the  third  heavens,  unless 
the  main  tenor  of  their  lives  be  -spiritual,  watchful, 
and  holy:  in  pressing  these  things  »thou  shalt  both 
save  thyself,  and  those  that  hear  thee.' 


XIFE  OF  BRAINERD.  S2S 

"God  knows  I  was  heartily  willing  to  have  served 
him  longer  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  although  it 
had  stiil  been  attended  with  all  the  labors  and  hard 
ships  of  past  years,  if  he  had  seen  fit  that  it  should 
be  so:  but  as  his  will  now  appears  otherwise:  I  am 
fully  content,  and  can,  with  the  utmost  freedom,  saj , 
<the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.'  It  affects  me  to  think 
of  leaving  you  in  a  world  of  sin:  my  heart  pities 
you,  that  those  storms  and  tempests  are  yet  before 
you,  which,  through  grace,  1  am  almost  delivered 
from;  but  «God  lives,  and  blessed  be  my  Rock:'  he 
is  the  same  Almighty  Friend:  and  will,  I  trust,  be 
your  guide  and  helper,  as  he  has  been  mine. 

"And  now,  my  dear  brother,  *I  commend  you  to 
God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to 
build  you  up,  and  give  you  an  inheritance  among  all 
them  that  are  sanctified.'  May  you  enjoy  the  divine 
presence,  both  in  private  and  public;  and  may  'the 
arms  of  jour  hands  be  made  strong  by  the  right- 
hand  of  the  mighty  God  of  Jacob;'  which  are  pas 
sionate  desires  and  prayers  of 

Your  affectionate,  dying  brother, 

DAVID  BRAINERD." 

The  account  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  further  continu 
ance  at  Boston,  his  return  to  Northampton,  and  of 
the  state  of  his  mind,  with  the  circumstances  of  his 
departure  from  this  world  to  a  better,  is  so  interest 
ingly  related  by  President  Edwards  who  was  for  the 
most  part,  a  witness  of  the  scene,  that  I  cannot,  I 
think,  render  my  reader  a  more  acceptable  service 
than  by  suffering  him  to  conclude  the  narrative. 

"Mr.  Brainerd's  restoration  from  his  extremely 
low  state  in  Boston  so  as  to  go  abroad  again,  and  to 
travel,  wras  very  unexpected  to  him  and  his  friends. 
My  daughter,  who  was  with  him,  writes  thus  con 
cerning  him,  in  a  letter,  dated  June  23.  "On  Thurs 
day,  he  was  very  ill  of  a  violent  fever,  and  extreme 
pain  in  his  head  and  breast,  and,  at  turns,  delirious. 
So  he  remained  till  Saturday  evening,  when  he  seem 
ed  to  be  in  the  agonies  of  death:  the  family  were  up 


224  1IFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

with  him  till  one  or  two  o'clock,  expecting  every 
hour  would  be  his  last.  On  Sabbath-da,)  lie  \vasliitle 
revived,  his  head  was  better,  but  very  fuil  of  pain, 
an  exceeding  sore  at  his  breast,  much  pus  to  it  for 
breath.  Y'esierday  he  was  better  upon  all  accounts. 
Last  night  he  siept  but  little.  This  morning  he  is 
much  worse.  Dr.  Pyncbon  says,  he  has  no  hopes  of 
life;  nor  does  he  think  it  likely  he  will  ever  come  out 
of  his  chamber." 

"His  physician,  Joseph  Pynchon,  Esq.  when  he 
visited  him  in  Boston,  attributed  his  sinking  so  sud- 
dt-iy  into  a  state  so  nigh  unto  death,  to  the  breaking 
of  ulcers,  that  had  been  long  gathering  in  his  lungs, 
and  there  discharging  and  diffusing  their  purulent 
matter;  which,  while  nature  was  laboring  and  strug 
gling  to  throw  off  (which  could  be  done  no  otherwise, 
than  by  a  gradual  straining  of  it  through  the  small 
vessels  of  those  vital  parts,)  this  occasioned  an  high 
fever,  and  violent  coughing,  and  threw  the  whole 
frame  of  nature  into  the  utmost  disorder;  but  sup 
posed,  if  the  strength  of  nature  held  till  the  lungs 
had  this  way  gradually  cleared  themselves  of  this 
putrid  matter,  he  might  revive,  and  continue  better, 
till  new  ulcers  gathered  and  broke:  but  then  he  would 
surely  sink  again:  and  that  there  was  no  hope  of  his 
recovery;  but  (as  he  expressed  himself  to  one  of  my 
neighbors,)  he  was  as  certainly  a  dead  man,  as  if  he 
was  shot  through  the  heart, 

"  But  it  was  so  ordered  in  divine  providence  that 
the  strength  of  nature  held  out  through  this  great 
conflict,  so  as  just  to  escape  the  grave  at  that  turn; 
and  then. he  revived,  to  the  astonishment  of  all  that 
knew  his  case. 

"After  he  began  to  revive,  he  was  visited  by  his 
youngest  brother,  Mr.  Israel  Brainerd,  a  student  at 
Yale  College;  who  having  heard  of  his  extreme  ill 
ness,  went  from  hence  to  Boston  in  order  to  see  him. 

"This  visit  was  attended  with  a  mixture  of  joy 
am!  Borrow  to  Mr.  Brainerd.  He  greatly  rejoiced 
to  see  his  brother,  especially  because  he  had  desired 
aa  opportunity  of  some  religious  conversation  with 


LIFE  OF  BRAINERD.  225 

him  before  he  died.  But  this  meeting  was  attended 
with  sorrow,  as  his  brother  brought  him  the  tidings 
of  his  sister  Spencer's  death  at  Huddam;  a  sister,  be 
tween  whom  and  him  had  long  subsisted  a  peculiarly 
dear  affection,  and  much  intimacy  in  spiritual  mat 
ters.  He  had  heard  nothing  of  her  sickness  till  this 
report  of  her  death.  But  he  had  these  comforts  to 
gether  with  the  tidings,  a  confidence  of  her  being 
gone  to  heaven,  and  an  expectation  of  his  soon  meet 
ing  her  there.  His  brother  continued  with  him  until 
he  left  the  town,  and  came  with  him  from  thence  to 
Northampton. 

"Concerning  the  last  Sabbath  Mr.  Brainerd  spent 
at  Boston,  he  writes  in  his  diary  as  follows. 

"LordVday,  July  19.  I  was  just  able  to  attend 
public  worship,  being  carried  to  the  house  of  God  in 
a  chaise.  I  heard  Dr.  Sewall  preach  in  the  fore 
noon;  partook  of  the  Lord's  supper  at  this  lime.  In 
the  sacrament,  I  saw  astonishing  wisdom  displayed; 
such  wisdom  as  required  the  tongues  of  angels  and 
glorified  saints  to  celebrate;  it  seemed  to  me  1  never 
should  do  any  thing  at  adoring  the  infinite  wisdom 
of  God,  discovered  in  the  contrivance  of  man's  re 
demption,  until  I  arrived  at  a  world  of  perfection; 
yet  I  could  not  help  striving  to  «call  upon  my  soul, 
and  all  within  me  to  bless  the  name  of  God.' 

"The  next  day  he  set  out  in  the  cool  of  the  after 
noon  on  his  journey  to  Northampton  attended  by  his 
brother,  and  my  daughter  that  went  with  him  to  Bos 
ton,  and  would  have  been  accompanied  out  of  the 
town  by  a  number  of  gentlemen,  had  not  his  aversion 
to  any  thing  of  pomp  and  show  prevented  it. 

"25.  I  arrived  here  (at  Northampton,)  having  set 
out  from  Boston  on  Monday,  about  four  o'clock, 
P.  M.  In  this  journey,  I  rode  about  sixteen  miles 
a  day,  one  day  with  another.  I  was  sometimes  ex 
tremely  tired,  so  that  it  seemed  impossible  to  me  to 
proceed  any  further;  at  other  times  I  was  considera 
bly  better,  and  felt  some  freedom  both  of  body  and 
of  mind. 

20 


T.IFE    OF  BRAINEKD. 

.-.vd's-day,  July  26.    This  day,  I  saw  clearly 

',.-od  himself  could  not  make  me  happy  unless  I 

fjoul-i  he  in  a  capacity  to  'please  and  glorify  him  for 

,7  lake  away  this,  and  admit  me  into  all  the  fine 

•  ns  (hat  can  be  conceived  by  men  or  angels,  and 

'h.     »oukl  still  be  miserable  for  ever. 

"Though  he  had  so  far  revived,  as  to  be  able  to 
d  thus  far,  yet  he  manifested  no  expectation  of 
recovery:  he  supposed,  as  bis  physician  did,  that  his 
beb.g  brought  so  near  to  death  at  Boston,  was  owing 
to  the  breaking  of  ulcers  in  his  lungs.  He  told  me 
that  he  had  had  several  such  ill  turns  before,  only 
not  to  so  high  a  degree,  but  aa  he  supposed,  owing 
to  the  same  cause;  and  that  he  was  brought  lower 
and  lower  every  time;  and  ii;  appeared  to  him,  that 
in  his  last  sickness  (i«  Boston,)  he  was  brought  as 
low  as  possible,  and  yet  aiive:  and  that  he  had  not 
the  least  expectation  of  surviving  U?c  ne::t  return  of 
this  breaking  of  ulcers:  but  still  appeared  perfectly 
calm. 

"On  "Wednesday  morning,  the  week  after  he  came 
to  Northampton,  he  took  leave  of  his  brother  Israel, 
never  expecting  fco  see  him  again  in  this  world. 

"When  Mr.  lirainerd  came  hither,  he  had  so 
much  strength  as  to  be  able,  from  day  to  day,  to  ride 
out  two  or  three  miles,  and  to  return;  and  sometimes 
to  pray  in  the  family:  but  from  this  time  he  sensibly 
decayed,  and  became  weaker  and  weaker. 

"While  he  was  here,  his  conversation  from  first 
to  last  was  much  on  the  same  subjects  as  it  had  been 
in  Boston.  He  was  much  in  speaking  of  the  nature 
of  true  religion  of  heart  and  practice,  as  distinguish 
ed  from  its  various  counterfeits;  expressing  his  great 
concern  that  the  latter  did  so  much  prevail  in  many 
places.  He  often  manifested  his  great  abhorrence 
of  all  such  doctrines  and  principles  in  religion,  as  in 
any  way  savored  of,  and  had  any  (thougii  but  a  re 
mote)  tendency  to  antinomianism;  of  all  such  no 
tions  as  seemed  to  diminish  the  necessity  of  holiness 
of  life,  or  to  abate  men's  regard  to  the  commands 
of  God,  and  a  strict,  diligent,  and  universal  practice 
of  virtue,  under  a  pretence  of  depreciating  our  works, 


OFE    01'   BRAINEKD,  2£7 

and  magnifying  God's  free  grace.  He  spake  often, 
with  much  detestation,  of  such  discoveries  and  joys 
as  have  nothing  of  the  nature  of  sanctification  in 
them,  and  do  not  tend  to  strictness,  tenderness,  and 
diligence  in  religion,  and  meekness,  and  benevolence 
towards  mankind;  and  he  also  declared,  that  he 
looked  on  such  pretended  humility  as  worthy  of  no 
regard,  that  was  not  manifested  by  morality  of  con 
duct  and  conversation. 

"After  he  came  hither,  as  long  as  he  lived,  he  was 
much  in  speaking  of  the  future  prosperity  of  Zion, 
that  is  so  often  promised  in  Scripture;  and  his  mind 
seemed  to  he  carried  forth  with  intense  desires, 
that  religion  might  speedily  revive  and  flourish;  yea, 
the  nearer  death  advanced,  still  the  more  did  his 
mind  seem  to  be  taken  up  with  this  subject.  He 
told  me  when  near  his  end,  that  he  never  in  all  his 
life  had  his  mind  so  led  forth  in  desires  and  earnest 
prayers  for  the  flourishing  of  Christ's  kingdom  on 
earth,  as  since  he  was  brought  so  exceedingly  low  at 
Boston.  He  seemed  much  to  wonder,  that  there  ap 
peared  no  more  of  a  disposition  in  ministers  and  peo 
ple  to  pray  for  the  flourishing  of  religion  through 
the  world;  that  so  little  a  part  of  their  prayers  was 
generally  taken  up  about  it,  in  their  families  and 
elsewhere.  And  particularly,  he  several  times  ex 
pressed  his  wonder,  that  there  appeared  no  more  for 
wardness  to  comply  with  the  proposal  lately  made, 
in  a  memorial  from  a  number  of  ministers  in  Scot- 
laud,  and  sent  over  into  America,  for  united  extraor 
dinary  prayer,  among  ministers  and  people,  for  the 
coming  of  Christ's  kingdom:  and  he  sent  as  his 
dying  advice  to  his  own  congregation,  that  they 
should  practise  agreeably  to  that  proposal.* 

"Though  he  was  exceeding  weak,  yet  there  ap 
peared  in  him  a  continual  care  well  to  employ  time, 

*  His  congregation,  since  this,  have  with  great  cheerfulness  and 
unanimity  fallen  in  with  this  advice,  and  have  practised  agreeably  to 
the  proposal  from  Scotland;  and  have  at  times  appeared  wHh  uncom 
mon  engagedness  and  fervency  of  spirit  in  their  united  devotions, 
pursuant  to  that  proposal.  Also,  the  presbyteries  of  New  York,  and 
New  Brunswick,  since  this,  have  with  one  consent,  fallen  in  with  the 
proposal*  as  likewise  some  others  of  God's  people  hi  those  parts. 


MFE    OF   JBKAINEKB. 

and  fill  it  up  with  something  that  might  he  profita 
ble;  either  profitable  conversation,  or  writing  letters 
to  absent  friends,  or  noting  something  in  his  diary, 
or  looking  over  his  former  writings,  correcting  them, 
and  preparing  them  to  be  left  in  the  hands  of  others 
at  his  death,  or  giving  some  directions  concerning  a 
future  management  of  his  people,  or  employment  in 
secret  devotions.  He  seemed  never  to  he  easy,  how 
ever  ill,  if  he  was  not  doing  something  for  God,  or  in 
his  service. 

"In  his  diary  for  Lord's-day,  August  16,  he 
speaks  of  his  having  so  much  refreshment  of  soul  in 
ibe  house  of  God,  that  it  seemed  also  to  refresh  his 
body.  And  this  is  not  only  noted  in  his  diary,  hut 
was  very  observable  to  others;  it  was  very  apparent 
not  only  that  his  mind  was  exhilarated  with  inward 
consolation,  but  also  that  his  animal  spirits  and 
bodily  strength  were  remarkably  restored.  But  this 
was  the  last  time  that  ever  he  attended  public  wor 
ship  on  the  Sabbath. 

"On  Tuesday  morning  that  week,  I  being  absent 
on  a  journey,  he  prayed  with  my  family;  but  not 
without  much  difficulty;  and  this  was  the  last  family 
prayer  that  he  ever  made. 

"He  had  been  wont,  till  now,  frequently  to  ride 
out,  two  or  three  miles;  but  this  week  on  Thursday, 
was  the  last  time  he  ever  did  so. 

"Lord's-day,  August  23.  This  morning  I  was 
considerably  refreshed  with  the  thought,  yea,  the  ex 
pectation  of  the  enlargement  of  Christ's  kingdom; 
arid  I  could  not  but  hope,  the  time  was  at  hand, 
when  Babylon  the  great  would  fall,  and  rise  no  more. 
I  was  unable  to  attend  public,  worship;  but  God  was 
pleased  to  afford  me  satisfaction  in  divine  thoughts. 
Nothing  so  refreshes  my  soul,  as  when  I  can  go  to 
God,  yea,  to  God  my  exceeding  joy. 

"In  this  week  past,  1  had  divers  turns  of  inward 
refreshing,  though  my  body  was  inexpressibly  weak. 
Sometimes  my  soul  centered  in  God,  as  my  only  por 
tion;  and  1  felt  that  I  should  be  for  ever  unhappy,  if 
he  did  not  reign;  I  saw  the  sweetness  and  happiness 


LIFE    OF   BRAINERD.  229 

of  being  Ids  subject,  at  his  disposal.     This  made  all 
my  difficulties  quickly  vanish. 

'"Till  this  week,  he  had  been  wont  to  lodge  in  a 
room  above  stairs,  but  he  now  grew  so  weak,  that  he 
was  no  longer  able  to  go  up  stairs  and  down.  Fri 
day,  August  28,  was  the  last  time  he  ever  went  above 
stairs,  henceforward  he  betook  himself  to  a  lower 
room. 

"Sept.  2.  Being  the  day  of  our  public  lecture,  he 
seemed  to  be  refreshed  with  seeing  the  neighboring 
ministers,  and  expressed  a  great  desire  once  more  to 
go  to  the  house  of  God:  and  accordingly  rode  to  the 
meeting,  and  attended  divine  service,  while  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Woodbridge,  of  Hatfield,  preached.  He  signi 
fied  that  he  supposed  it  to  be  the  last  time  that 
ever  he  should  attend  public  worship,  as  it  proved. 
Arid  indeed  it  was  the  last  time  thatever  he  went  out 
of  our  gate  alive. 

"On  Saturday  evening,  he  was  visited  by  his 
brother  Mr.  John  Brainerd.  He  was  much  refresh 
ed  by  this  unexpected  visit,  this  brother  being  pecu 
liarly  dear  to  him;  and  he  seemed  to  rejoice  in  a  de 
vout  manner,  to  see  him,  and  to  hear  the  comfortable 
tidings  he  brought  concerning  the  state  of  his  dear 
Indians;  and  a  circumstance  of  this  visit,  that  he  was 
exceedingly  glad  of,  was  that  his  brother  brought 
him  some  of  his  private  writings  from  New  Jersey, 
and  particularly  his  diary  that  he  had  kept  for  many 
years  past. 

"LordVday,  Sept.  6.  I  began  to  read  some  of 
my  private  writings,  which  my  brother  brought  me; 
and  was  considerably  refreshed  with  what  1  met 
with  in  them. 

"7.  I  proceeded  further  in  reading  my  old  private 
writings,  and  found  they  had  the  same  effect  upon  me 
as  before:  I  could  not  but  rejoice  and  bless  God  for 
what  had  passed  long  ago,  which  without  writing 
had  been  entirely  lost. 

"This  evening  when  I  was  in  great  distress  of 
body,  my  soul  longed  that  God  should  be  glorified;  I 
saw  there  was  no  heaven  but  this.  I  could  not  but 


230  XIFE  OF   BKA1NER&. 

speak  to  the  by-standers  then  of  the  only  happiness, 
viz.  pleasing  God.  Oh,  that  I  could  ever  live  to 
God!  The  day,  1  trust,  is  at  hand,  the  perfect  clay. 

"LordVday,  Sept.  13.  I  was  much  refreshed 
and  engaged  in  meditation  and  writing,  and  found  a 
heart  to  act  for  God.  My  spirits  were  refreshed, 
arid  my  soul  delighted  to  do  something  for  God. 

"On  the  evening  following,  his  feet  began  to 
swell,  which  thenceforward  swelled  more  and  more. 
A  symptom  of  his  dissolution  coming  on. 

"The  next  day  his  brother  left  him,  being  obliged 
to  return,  to  New  Jersey  on  some  business  of  great 
importance,  intending  to  return  again  with  ail  possi 
ble  speed,  hoping  to  see  his  brother  yet  once  more  in 
the  land  of  the  living. 

"Mr.  iirainerd  having  now  with  much  delibera 
tion  considered  the  important  affair  aforementioned, 
left  with  him  by  the  commissioners  in  Boston,  viz. 
the  recommending  two  persons  proper  to  be  employ 
ed  as  missionaries  to  the  Six  Nations,  he  about*this 
time  wrote  a  letter,  recommending  two  young  gen 
tlemen  of  his  acquaintance,  viz.  Mr.  Eliliu  Spencer 
of  East  Haddam,  and  Mr.  Job  Strong  of  Northamp 
ton.  The  commissioners  on  the  receipt  of  this  let 
ter,  unanimously  agreed  to  accept  of  the  persons  he 
iiad  recommended. 

"He  also  this  week  wrote  a  letter  to  a  gentleman 
in  Boston,  relating  to  the  growth  of  the  Indian 
school,  and  the  need  of  another  schoolmaster.  The 
gentlemen  on  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  had  a  meet 
ing,  and  agreed  with  cheerfulness  to  give  two  hun 
dred  pounds  (in  bills  of  the  old  tenor.)  for  the 
support  of  another  schoolmaster;  and  desired  Mr. 
I'emberton  of  New  York,  as  soon  as  possible,  to 
procure  a  suitable  person  for  that  service;  and  also 
agreed  to  allow  seventy-five  pounds  to  defray  some 
special  charges  that  were  requisite  to  encourage  the 
mission  to  the  Six  Nations. 

"Mr.  Brainerd  spent  himself  much  in  writing  those 
letters,  being  exceedingly  weak:  but  it  seemed  to  be 
much  to  his  satisfaction,  that  he  had  been  enabled  to 


ilFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

do  it;  hoping  that  it  was  something  done  for  God, 
and  which  might  be  for  the  advancement  of  Christ's 
kingdom  and  glory.  In  writing  the  last  of  these 
letters,  he  was  obliged  to  use  the  hand  of  another,  not 
being  able  to  write  himself. 

«»6n.  Thursday,  Sept.  17,  was  the  last  time  that 
ever  he  went  out  of  his  lodging-room.  That  day,  he 
was  again  visited  by  his  brother  Israel,  who  continu 
ed  with  him  henceforward  till  his  death.  On  that 
evening  he  was  taken  with  a  diarrhosa;  which  he 
looked  upon  as  another  sign  of  approaching  death; 
whereupon  he  expressed  himself  thus;  *Oh  the  glo 
rious  time  is  now  coming!  1  have  longed  to  serve 
God  perfectly;  now  God  will  gratify  those  desires!' 
And  from  time  to  time,  at  the  several  new  symptoms 
of  his  dissolution,  he  was  so  far  from  being  damped, 
that  he  seemed  to  be  animated;  as  being  glad  at  the 
appearances  of  death's  approach.  He  often  used  the 
epithet,  glorious,  when  speaking  of  the  day  of  his 
death,  calling  it  that  glorious  day.  And  as  he  saw 
his  dissolution  gradually  approaching,  he  was  much 
in  talking  about  it,  and  also  settling  all  his  affairs, 
very  particularly  and  minutely  giving  directions  con 
cerning  what  he  would  have  done.  And  the  nearer 
death  approached,  the  more  desirous  he  seemed  to 
be  of  it.  He  several  times  spake  of  the  different 
kinds  of  willingness  to  die;  and  spoke  of  it,  as  a  mean 
kind  of  willingness  to  die,  to  be  willing  to  leave  the 
body  only  to  get  rid  of  pain. 

"19.  While  1  attempted  to  walk  a  little,  my 
thoughts  turned  thus;  'How  infinitely  sweet  it  is,  to 
love  God,  and  be  all  for  him!'  Upon  which  it  was 
suggested  to  me,  <You  are  not  an  angel,  lively  and 
active.'  To  which  my  soul  immediately  replied,  *I 
as  sincerely  desire  to  love  and  glorify  God,  as  any 
angel  in  heaven.'  Upon  which  it  was  suggested 
again,  'but  you  are  filthy  arid  not  fit  for  heaven*? 
Hereupon  instantly  appeared  the  blessed  robes  of 
Christ's  righteousness,  which  1  could  not  but  exult 
and  triumph  in;  and  I  viewed  the  infinite  excellency 
of  God,  and  my  soul  even  broke  out  with  longings, 


232  LIFE    OF    BRAIXEH9. 

that  God  should  be  glorified.  I  thought  of  dignity 
in  heaven,  but  instan-ly  the  thought  returned.  <i  do 
not  go  to  heaven  to  get  honor,  but  to  give  all  possi 
ble  glory  a$ul  praise.'  Oh,  how  1  longed  that  God 
should  he  glorified  on  earth  also.  Bodily  pains  I 
cared  not  for;  though  1  was  then  in  extremity,  I 
never  felt  easier;  I  felt  willing  to  glorify  God  in  that 
state,  as  long  as  he  pleased.  The  grave  appeared 
really  sweet,  and  I  longed  to  lodge  my  weary  bones 
in  it;  but  oh,  that  God  might  be  glorified!  This  was 
the  burden  of  all  my  cry.  Oh,  1  knew,  I  should  bo 
active  as  an  angel  in  heaven;  and  that  I  should  be 
stripped  of  filthy  garments!  But  oh,  to  love  and 
praise  God  more,  to  please  him  for  ever!  This  my 
soul  panted  after,  and  even  now  pants  for  while  i 
write.  Oh  that  God  might  be  glorified  in  the  whole 
earth!  'Lord  let  thy  kingdom  come.'  I  longed  for 
a  spirit  of  preaching  to  descend,  and  rest  on  minis 
ters  that  they  might  address  the  consciences  of  men 
with  closeness  and  power.  1  saw  God  had  the  resi 
due  of  the  Spirit,  and  my  soul  longed  it  should  be 
*poured  from  on  high.'  I  could  not  but  plead  with 
God  for  my  dear  congregation,  that  he  would  pre 
serve  it,  and  not  suffer  his  great  name  to  lose  its 
glory  in  that  work;  my  soul  still  longing,  that  God 
might  be  glorified. 

"In  the  evening,  his  mouth  spake  out  of  the 
abundance  of  his  heart,  expressing  in  a  very  affect 
ing  manner  much  the  same  things  as  are  written  in 
his  diary:  aiid  among  many  other  extraordinary  ex 
pressions,  VTI-C  these;  'my  heaven  is  to  please  God, 
and  glorifj  VHII.  -and  to  give  all  to  him,  and  be  wholly 
devoted  t<  'is  glory;  that  is  the  heaven  I  long  for, 
this  is  my  ••<  Sigion,  that  is  my  happiness,  and  always 
ever  sine:  I  had  any  true  religion;  and  all  those  that 
are  of  that  religion  s!u:ll  meet  me  in  heaven.  I  do 
not  go  to  I«naven  to  he  advanced,  but  to  give  honor  to 
God.  It  is  no  mutter  where  I  shall  be  stationed  in 
heaven,  whether  I  have  a  high  or  a  low  seat  there; 
but  to  !.-vr>,  ,-.ri:'  ^ifeas* ,  and  glorify  God  is  all:  had  I  a 
thousand  souls,  if  they  were  worth  any  thing,  I  would 


UFE    OF   BRAINERD.  233 

give  them  all  to  God;  but  I  have  nothing  to  give 
when  all  is  done.  It  is  impossible  for  any  rational 
creature  to  be  happy  without  acting  all  for  God: 
God  himself  could  not  make  him  happy  any  other 
way.  1  long  to  be  in  heaven,  praising  and  glorify 
ing  God  with  the  holy  angels:  all  my  desire  is  to 
glorify  God.  My  heart  goes  out  to  the  bur)  ing- 
place:  it  scerns  to  me  a  desirable  plare:  but  oh,  to 
glorify  God!  that  is  it;  that  is  above  all.  it  is  a 
great  comfort  to  me,  to  think  that  I  have  done  a  little 
for  God  in  the  world:  oh!  it  is  but  a  very  small  mat 
ter;  yet  i  have  done  a  little:  and  I  lament  that  I 
have  not  done  more  for  him.  There  is  nothing  in 
the  world  worth  living  for,  but  doing  good  and  fin 
ishing  God's  work.  1  see  nothing  else  in  the  world 
that  can  yield  any  satisfaction,  besides  living  to  God, 
pleasing  him,  and  doing  his  whole  will.  My  great 
est  joy  and  comfort  has  been  to  do  something  for 
promoting  the  interest  of  religion,  and  the  souls  of 
particular  persons:  and  now,  in  my  illness,  while  I 
am  full  of  pain  and  distress,  from  day  to  day,  all  the 
comfort  I  have,  is  in  being  able  to  do  some  little 
char  (or  small  piece  of  work,)  for  God;  either  by 
something  1  say,  or  writing,  or  some  other  way. 

"He  intermingled  with  these  and  other  like  ex 
pressions,  many  pathetic  counsels  to  those  that  were 
about  him;  particularly  to  my  children  and  servants. 
He  applied  himself  to  some  of  my  younger  children 
at  this  time:  calling  them  to  him  and  speaking  to 
them  one  by  one;  setting  before  them  in  a  very  plain 
manner,  the  nature  of  true  piety,  and  its  great  im 
portance^  earnestly  warning  them  not  to  rest  in  any 
thing  short  «f  a  true  and  thorough  change  of  heart, 
and  a  life  devoted  to  God;  counselling  them  not  to 
be  slack  in  the  great  business  of  religion,  or  in  the 
least  to  delay  it;  enforcing  his  counsels  with  this, 
that  his  words  were  the  words  of  a  dying  man.  Said 
he,  *I  shall  die  here,  and  here  shall  1  be  buried,  and 
here  you  will  see  my  grave,  and  do  you  remember 
what  1  have  said  to  you.  I  am  going  into  eternity: 
and  it  is  sweet  to  me  to  think  of  eternity;  the  end- 


234  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

lessncss  of  it  makes  it  sweet;  but  oh,  what  shall  I 
say  to  the  eternity  of  the  wicked!  I  cannot  mention 
it,  nor  think  of  it;  the  thought  is  too  dreadful. 
"When  you  see  my  grave,  then  remember  what  I  said 
to  you  when  i  was  alive;  then  think  with  yourself, 
how  that  man  that  lies  iu  that  grave  counselled  and 
warned  me  to  prepare  for  death.' 

"His  body  seemed  to  be  marvellously  strengthen 
ed,  through  the  inward  vigor  of  his  itiiud;  so  that 
although  before  he  was  so  weak  he  could  hardly  utter 
a  sentence,  yet  now  he  continued  his  most  affecting 
discourse  for  more  than  an  hour,  with  scarce  any  in 
termission;  and  said  of  it  when  he  had  done,  lit  was 
the  last  sermon  thai  ever  he  should  preach.' 

"It  appears  by  what  is  noted  in  his  diary,  both  of 
this  day  and  the  evening  preceding,  that  his  mind 
was  at  this  time  much  impressed  wilh  a  sense  of  the 
importance  of  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  the  need 
of  the  grace  of  God,  and  his  special  assistance  in 
this  work:  and  it  also  appeared  in  what  he  express 
ed  in  conversation;  particularly  in  his  discourse  to 
Iiis  brother  Israel,  who  was  then  a  member  of  Yale 
College  at  New  Haven,  and  had  been  prosecuting 
Iiis  studies  there,  to  the  end  that  he  might  be  fitted 
for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  w?as  now  with  him. 
He  now,  and  from  time  to  time,  recommended  to  his 
brother  a  life  of  self-denial,  or  weancdness  from  the 
world,  and  devotednrss  to  God,  and  an  earnest  en 
deavor  to  obtain  much  of  the  grace  of  God's  Spirit, 
and  God's  gracious  influence  on  his  heart;  represent 
ing  the  great  need  which  ministers  stand  in  of  them, 
and  the  unspeakable  benefit  of  them  from  his  own 
experience.  Among  many  other  expressions,  he 
said,  'when  ministers  feel  ih^se  gracious  influences 
on  their  hearts,  it  wonderfully  assists  them  to  come 
at  the  consciences  of  men,  ami  as  it  were  to  handle 
them  with  hands,  whereas  without  them,  whatever 
reason  and  oratory  we  ';-;;ke  nse  of,  we  do  but  make 
use  of  stumps  instead  f  hands. 

<»Srpt.  21.  1  bega.-i  to  correct  a  little  volume  of 
rny  private  writings:  God,  I  believe,  remarkably 


XIFE    OF    BRAINEKD.  235 

helped  me  in  it:  my  strength  was  surprisingly  length 
ened  out,  and  my  thoughts  quick  arid  lively,  and  my 
soul  refreshed,  hoping  it  might  be  a  work  for  God. 
Oh,  how  good,  how  sweet  it  is  to  labor  for  God. 

«£2.  I  was  again  employed  in  reading,  and  cor 
recting,  and  had  the  same  success,  as  the  day  before. 
I  was  exceeding  weak;  but  it  seemed  to  refresh  my 
soul  thus  to  spend  my  time. 

"22.  I  finished  my  corrections  of  the  little  piece 
forementioned,  and  felt  uncommonly  peaceful;  it 
seemed  as  if  I  had  now  done  all  my  work  in  this 
world,  and  stood  ready  for  my  call  to  a  better.  As 
long  as  I  see.  any  thing  to  be  done  for  God,  life  is 
worth  having;  but  oh  how  vain  and  unworthy  it  is, 
to  live  for  any  lower  end! 

"This  day  I  was  unspeakably  weak,  arid  little  bet 
ter  than  speechless  all  the  day:  however  I  was  able 
to  write  a  little,  arid  felt  comfortably.  Oh,  it  re 
freshed  my  soul  to  think  of  former  things,  of  desires 
to  glorify  God,  of  the  pleasures  of  living  to  him!  'Oh, 
my  dear  God,  I  am  speedily  coming  to  thee,  J  hope. 
Hasten  the  day,  O  Lord,  if  it  be  thy  blessed  will. 
Oh  come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly.  Amen.'* 

"27.  He  felt  an  unusual  appetite  for  food;  with 
which  his  mind  seemed  to  be  exhilarated,  as  a  sign  of 
the  very  near  approach  of  death;  he  said  upon  it,  «I 
was  born  on  a  Sabbath-day;  and  1  have  reason  to 
think  I  was  new-born  on  a  Sabbath  day:  and  1  hope 
I  shall  die  on  this  Sabbath-day:  I  shall  look  upon  it 
as  a  favor,  if  it  may  be  the  will  of  God  that  it  should 
be  so:  I  long  for  the  time.  Oh,  why  is  the  chariot  so 
long  in  coming?  Why  tarry  the  wheels  of  his  cha 
riot?  I  am  very  willing  to  part  with  all:  I  am  will 
ing  to  part  with  my  dear  brother  John  and  never  to 
see  him  again,  to  go  to  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord. 
Oh,  when  I  go  there,  how  will  God's  dear  church  on 
earth  be  upon  my  mind!' 

Afterwards,  the  same  morning:  being  asked  how 
he  did,  he  answered,  "I  am  almost  in  eternity:  I  long 

*  This  was  the  last  that  ever  he  wrote  in  his  diary  with  his  own 
hand:  though  it  is  continued  a  little  farther,  in  a  broken  manner ; 
written  by  hla  brother  Israel,  but  indited  by  his  mouth, 


236  LIFE    OF   BRAINERD. 

to  be  there.  My  work  is  done:  I  have  done  with  all 
my  friends:  all  the  world  is  nothing  to  me.  1  long 
to  be  in  heaven,  praising  and  glorifying  God  with 
the  holy  angels:  all  my  desire  is  to  glorify  God." 

During  the  whole  of  these  last  two  weeks  of  his 
life,  he  seemed  to  continue  loose  from  all  the  world, 
as  having  done  his  work,  and  do;ie  with  all  things 
here  below,  having  nothing  to  do  but  to  die,  and 
abiding  in  an  earnest  desire  and  expectation  of  the 
happy  moment,  when  his  soul  should  take  its  flight, 
and  go  to  a  state  of  perfection,  of  holiness,  and  per 
fect  glorifying  and  enjoying  God.  He  said,  "that 
the  consideration  of  the  day  of  death,  and  the  day 
of  judgment,  had  a  long  time  been  peculiarly  sweet 
to  him.'-"  He,  from  time  to  time,  spake  of  his  being 
willing  to  leave  the  body,  and  the  world,  immedi 
ately,  that  moment,  if  it  were  the  will  of  God.  He 
also  was  much  in  expressing  his  longings  that  the 
church  of  Christ  on  earth  might  flourish,  and  Christ's 
kingdom  here  might  be  advanced,  notwithstanding 
he  was  about  to  leave  the  earth,  and  should  not  with 
his  eyes  behold  the  desirable  event.  He  said  to  me 
one  morning,  *<My  thoughts  have  been  employed  on 
the  old  dear  theme,  the  prosperity  of  God's  church 
on  earth.  As  1  waked  out  of  sleep,  I  was  led  to  cry 
for  the  pouring  out  of  God's  Spirit,  and  the  advance 
ment  of  Christ's  kingdom,  which  the  Redeemer  did, 
and  suffered  so  much  for.  It  is  that  especially  which 
makes  me  long  for  it." 

He  once  told  me,  that  "lift  had  formerly  longed 
for  the  out-pouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  the 
glorious  times  of  the  church,  and  hoped  they  were 
coming;  and  should  have  been  willing  to  have  lived 
lo  promote  religion,  at  that  time,  if  that  had  been  the 
will  of  God;  but,  says  he,  I  am  willing  it  should  be- 
as  it  is:  I  would  not  have  the  choice  to  make  for 
myself  for  ten  thousand  worlds." 

He  also  still  dwelt  much  on  the  great  importance 
of  the  work  of  ministers,  and  expressed  his  longings 
that  they  might  be  "filled  with  the  Spirit  of  God;0 


LIFE    OF   BHAINERD.  £37 

and  manifested  much  desire  to  see  some  of  the  neigh* 
boring  ministers,  whom  he  had  some  acquaintance 
with,  that  he  might  converse  freely  with  them  on 
that  subject  before  he  died.  And  it  so  happened,  that 
he  had  opportunity  with  some  of  them  according  to 
his  desire. 

"Another  thing  that  lay  much  on  his  heart,  and 
that  he  spake  of,  from  time  to  time,  in  these  near 
approaches  of  death,  was  the  spiritual  prosperity  of 
his  own  congregation;  and  when  he  spake  of  them  it 
was  with  peculiar  tenderness,  so  that  his  speech 
would  be  presently  interrupted,  and  drowned  with 
tears. 

"He  also  expressed  much  satisfaction  in  the  dispos 
als  of  Providence  with  regard  to  the  circumstances 
of  his  death;  particularly  that  God  had  before  his 
death  given  him  the  opportunity  he  had  in  Boston, 
with  so  many  considerable  persons,  ministers,  and 
others,  to  give  in  his  testimony  for  God,  and  against 
false  religion;  and  there  to  lay  before  charitable  gen 
tlemen  the  state  of  the  Indians  to  so  good  effect:  and 
that  God  had  since  given  him  opportunity  to  write  to 
them  further  concerning  these  affairs;  and  to  write 
other  letters  of  importance,  that  he  hoped  might  be 
of  good  influence  with  regard  to  the  state  of  religion 
among  the  Indians  and  elsewhere,  after  his  death. 
He  also  mentioned  it  as  what  lie  accounted  a  merci 
ful  circumstance  of  his  death,  that  he  should  die 
here.  And  speaking  of  these  things,  he  said,  "God 
had  granted  him  all  his  desire;"  and  signified,  that 
now  he  could,  with  the  greater  alacrity,  leave  the 
world. 

"Sept.  28.  I  was  able  to  read,  and  make  some  few 
corrections  in  my  private  writings;  but  found  1  could 
not  write  as  I  had  done;  I  tbund  myself  sensibly  de~ 
clined  in  all  respects.  It  has  been  only  from  a  little 
while  before  noon,  till  about  one  or  two  o'clock,  that 
I  have  been  able  to  do  any  thing  for  some  time  past; 
yet  this  refreshed  my  heart,  that  I  could  do 
thing,  either  public  or  private,  for  God." 


238  :LIFE  OF  BRAINERB. 

"This  evening  he  was  supposed  to  be  dying:  he 
thought  so  himself,  and  was  glad  at  the  appearance 
of  death.  He  was  almost  speechless,  but  his  lips 
appeared  to  move:  one  that  sat  very  near  him  heard 
him  utter,  'Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly. — Oh, 
why  is  his  chariot  so  long  in  coming!'  After  he  re 
vived,  he  blamed  himself  for  having  been  too  eager 
to  be  gone.  In  expressing  what  he  found  in  his 
mind  at  that  time,  he  said,  he  then  found  an  inex 
pressibly  sweet  love  to  those  whom  he  looked  upon  as 
belonging  to  Christ,  beyond  all  that  he  ever  felt  be 
fore;  so  that  it  'seemed  (to  use  his  own  words)  like 
a  little  piece  of  heaven,  to  have  one  of  them  near 
him.'  Being  asked  whether  he  heard  the  prayer  that 
was  (at  his  desire)  made  with  him;  he  said,  «Yes,  he 
heard  every  word,  and  had  uncommon  sense  of  the 
things  that  were  uttered  in  that  prayer,  and  that 
every  word  reached  his  heart.' 

"On  the  evening  of  Sept.  £9,  as  he  lay  on  his  bed 
he  seemed  to  be  in  an  extraordinary  frame;  his  mind 
greatly  engaged  concerning  the  prosperity  of  Zion: 
there  being  present  at  that  time  two  candidates  for 
the  ministry,  he  desired  us  all  to  unite  in  singing  a 
psalm  on  that  subject,  even  Zion's  prosperity.  And 
by  his  desire,  we  sung  a  part  of  the  l.0£d  Psalm. 
This  seemed  much  to  refresh  him,  and  give  him  new 
strength;  so  that,  though  before  he  could  scarce 
speak  at  all,  now  he  proceeded  with  some  freedom  of 
speech,  to  give  his  dying  counsels  to  those  two  young 
gentlemen,  relating  to  that  great  work  of  the  minis 
try  they  were  designed  for;  and  in  particular,  ear 
nestly  recommended  to  them  frequent  secret  fasting 
and  prayer:  and  enforced  his  counsel  with  regard 
to  this,  from  his  own  experience  of  the  great  com 
fort  and  benefit  of  it:  which,  (said  he,)  I  should  not 
mention,  were  it  not  that  I  am  a  dying  person.  And 
after  he  had  finished  his  counsel,  he  made  a  prayer, 
in  the  audience  of  us  all;  wherein,  besides  praying 
for  his  family,  for  his  brethren,  and  those  candidates 
for  the  ministry,  and  for  his  own  congregation,  he 


LIFE    OF   BKAINEUD.  239 

.earnestly  prayed  for  the  reviving  and  flourishing  of 
religion  in  the  world. 

"Till  now,  he  had  every  day  sat  up  a  part  of  the 
day;  but  after  this  he  never  rose  from  his^  bed. 

"Sept.  30.  1  was  obliged  to  keep  my  bed  the 
whole  day,  through  weakness.  However  I  redeemed 
a  little  time,  and  with  the  help  of  my  brother,  read 
and  corrected  about  a  dozen  pages  in  my  manu 
script,  giving  an  account  of  my  conversion. 

"October  2.  My  soul  was  this  day  at  turns 
sweetly  set  on  God:  I  longed  to  be  with  him,  that  I 
might  behold  his  glory:,!  felt  sweetly  disposed  to 
commit  all  to  him,  even  my  dearest  friends,  my  dear 
est  flock,  and  my  absent  brother,  and  ail  my  concerns 
for  time  and  eternity.  Oh,  that  his  kingdom  might 
come  into  the  world;  that  they  might  all  love  and 
glorify  him;  and  that  the  blessed  Redeemer  might 
*se§  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  be  satisfied!  Oh 
come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly!  Amen.'* 

"The  next  evening  we  expected  his  brother  John 
from  New  Jersey;  it  being  about  a  week  after  the 
time  that  he  proposed  for  his  return.  And  though 
our  expectations  were  still  disappointed;  yet  Mr. 
Jirainerd  seemed  to  continue  unmoved,  in  the  same 
calm  frame,  that  he  had  before  manifested;  as  having 
resigned  all  to  God,  arid  having  done  with  his 
friends,  and  with  all  things  here  below. 

<'On  the  morning  of  the  Lord's-day,  October  4,  as 
my  daughter  Jcrusha,  (who  chieily  attended  him) 
came  into  the  room,  he  looked  on  her  very  pleasantly, 
and  said,  <dear  Jerusha,  are  you  willing  to  part  with 
me? — I  am  quite  willing  to  part  with  you:  I  am 
willing  to  part  with  all  my  friends;  I  am  willing  to 
part  with  my  dear  brother  John,  although  I  love  him 
the  best  of  any  creature  living;  I  have  committed 
him,  and  all  my  friends  to  God,  and  can  leave 
them  with  God.  Though,  if  I  thought  I  should  not 
see  you,  and  be  happy  with  you  in  another  world,  C 
could  not  bear  to  part  with  you.  But  we  shall  spend 

*  Here  ends  FKs  diary:  these  are  the  last  words,  that  are  written  in 
it,  either  by  his  own  hand,  or  from  his  mouth. 


240  1IFE  OF  BRAINEKD, 

an  happy  eternity  together!'*  In  the  evening,  as 
one  came  into  the  room  with  a  Bible  in  her  hand,  he 
said,  «Oh,  that  dear  hook!  that  lovely  hook!  J  shall 
soon  see  it  opened;  the  mysteries  that  are  in  it,  and 
the  mysteries  of  God's  providence  will  he  unfolded!' 

"His  distemper  now  apparently  preyed  upon  his 
vitals;  not  hy  a  sudden  breaking  of  ulcers  in  his 
lungs,  as  at  Boston,  but  by  a  constant  discharge  of 
purulent  matter  in  great  quantities;  so  that  what  he 
brought  up  by  expectoration,  seemed  to  be,  as  it 
were,  mouthfuls  of  almost  clear  pus;  which  was  at 
tended  witli  very  great  inward  pain  and  distress. 

"October  9.  He  lay  for  a  considerable  time,  as  if 
lie  were  dying.  At  which  time,  he  was  heard  to  ut 
ter  in  broken  whispers,  such  expressions  as  these; 
'He  will  come,  he  will  not  tarry. — I  shall  soon  be  in 
glory. — I  shall  soon  glorify  God  with  the  angels.5 
But  after  some  time  he  revived. 

"The  next  day  his  brother  John  arrived  from 
New  Jersey,  where  he  had  been  detained  much 
longer  than  he  intended,  by  a  mortal  sickness  pre 
vailing  among  the  Christian  Indians.  Mr.  Brain- 
crd  was  refreshed  with  seeing  him,  arid  appeared 
fully  satisfied  with  the  reasons  of  his  delay;  seeing 
the  interest  of  religion,  and  of  the  souls  of  his  peo 
ple  required  it. 

*  Since  this,  it  has  pleased  Cod  to  take  away  this  my  dear  child  by 
death,  on  the  14th  of  February  following,  after  a  short  illness  of  five 
days,  in  the  eighteenth  year  of  her  age.  She  was  a  person  of  much 
iht-  same  spirit  with  Mr.  Brainerd.  She  had  constantly  taken  care  of, 
and  attended  him  in  his  sickness,  for  nineteen  weeks  before  his  death, 
devoting  herself  to  it  with  great  delight,  because  she  looked  on  him 
as  an  eminent  servant  of  Jesus  Christ.  In  this  time,  he  had  much 
conversation  with  her  on  things  of  religion;  and  iu  his  dying  state, 
often  expressed  to  us,  her  parents,  his  great  satisfaction  concerning 
her  true  piety,  and  his  confidence  that  he  should  meet  her  in  heaven: 
and  his  high  opinion  of  her,  not  only  as  a  true  Christian,  but  a  very 
eminent  saint;  one  whose  soul  was  uncommonly  fed  and  entertained 
with  things  that  appertain  to  the  most  spiritual  parts  of  religion;  and 
one  who,  by  the  temper  of  her  mind,  was  the  fittest  to  deny  herself 
for  God,  and  to  do  good  beyond  any  young  woman  that  he  knew  of. 
She  had  manifested  a  heart  uncommonly  devoted  to  God,  in  the  course 
of  her  life.  Many  years  before  she  was  taken  to  her  death-bed,  she 
said,  that  'she  had  not  seen  one  minute  for  several  years,  wherein  she 
desired  to  live  one  minute  longer,  for  the  sake  of  any  other  good  in  life, 
but  doing  good,  living  to  God,  and  doing  what  rui^bt  be  for  his  glory.' 


LIFE    OF   BRAIXER1).  241 

"Thursday,  Oct.  8.  He  told  me  it  was  impossi 
ble  tor  any  one  to  conceive  the  distress  he  felt  in  his 
breast.  He  manifested  much  concern  lest  he  should 
dishonor  God  by  impatience.  He  desired  that 
others  would  be  much  in  lifting  up  their  hearts  to 
God  for  him.  He  signified,  that  he  expected  to  die 
that  night;  but  seemed  to  fear  a  longer  delay:  and 
the  disposition  of  his  mind  with  regard  to  death  ap 
peared  still  the  same  that  it  had  been  all  along. 
And  notwithstanding  his  bodily  agonies,  yet  the 
interest  of  Zion  lay  still  with  great  weight  on  his 
mind;  as  appeared  by  some  considerable  discourse 
he  had  that  evening  with  Mr.  Billing,  one  of  the 
neighboring  ministers,  concerning  the  great  im 
portance  of  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Afterwards 
when  it  was  very  late  in  the  night,  he  had  much 
discourse  with  his  brother  John,  concerning  his  con 
gregation  in  New  Jersey,  and  the  interest  of  relig 
ion  among  the  Indians.  In  the  latter  part  of  the 
night,  his  bodily  distresses  seemed  to  rise  to  a  great 
er  height  than  ever;  and  he  said  to  those  then  about 
him,  that  <lt  was  another  thing  to  die  than  what  peo 
ple  imagined;'  explaining  himself  to  mean,  they 
were  not  aware  what  bodily  pain  and  anguish  are 
undergone  before  death.  Toward  day,  his  eyes  were 
fixed;  and  he  continued  lying  immoveable,  until 
about  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  then  expired, 
on  Friday,  October  6,  1747,  when  his  soul  was 
received  by  his  dear  Lord  and  Master,  as  an  emi 
nently  faithful  servant,  into  a  state  of  perfection,  of 
holiness,  and  fruition  of  God,  which  he  had  so  ar 
dently  longed  for." 

Thus  died,  in  the  30th  year  of  his  age,  the  excel 
lent  and  indefatigable  David  Brainerd,  after  having 
been  engaged  four  years  in  the  arduous  labor  of  a 
missionary  of  Christ. 

Much  respect  was  shown  to  his  memory  at  his 
funeral;  which  was  on  the  Monday  following,  after 
a  sermon  preached  the  same  day,  on  that  occasion. 
His  funeral  was  attended  by  eight  of  the  neighbor- 


OF    BUAINEUB. 


ing  ministers,  seventeen  other  gentlemen  of  liberal 
education,  and  a  great  concourse  of  people. 

If  the  greatness  of  a  character  is  to  be  estimated 
by  the  object  which  it  pursues,  the  dangers  it  braves, 
the  difficulties  it  encounters,  and  the  purity  and  en 
ergy  of  its  motives,  David    tiraincrd   is   one  of  the 
greatest  characters  that  ever  appeared  in  the  world. 
Compared  with  this  standard  of  greatness,  what  lit 
tle  things  are  the  Alexanders,  the  Caesars,  the  con 
querors,  and  the  tyrants  of  the  whole  earth.     A  no 
bler  object  no  human  or  angelic   mind  could  ever 
propose  to  itself,  than  to  promote   the  glory  of  the 
great  Governor  of   the  universe,  in   studying   and 
laboring  to  diffuse  purity  arid   happiness  among  his 
unholy  and  miserable  creatures.     To  pursue  this  ob 
ject  with  unwearied  and  unchangeable  firmness,  to 
make  ever}'  thought,  wish,  and  action  to  center  in  it, 
and  to  suffer  the  greatest  hardships  rather  than  for 
one  moment  to  abandon  it,  displays  an  elevation  of 
character  which  excites  in  the  beholder,  the  profound- 
cst  reverence.     But  it  is  motive  which  is  mighty  in 
the  eye  of  heaven.     And  who  will  impeach  the  mo 
tives  of  a  man  who  endured  all  his  afflictions,  who 
encountered  all  his  difficulties  in  the  promotion  of  a 
cause  which  the  world  despises,  and  in  opposition  to 
ambition,  the  love  of  wealth,  the  love  of  ease,  and  a 
passion  for  fame.     Take  away  these  stimuli  from  the 
little  creatures   we  call  great,   and  they  sink  into 
insipid  negligence  and  fatuity.     Purity  of  motive  is 
essential  to  real  worth,  and  that  worth  is  to  be  esti 
mated  by  the  energy  of  the  principle.     Love  to  God 
and  man,  as  we  have  before  remarked,  led  Brainerd 
to  renounce  the  quiescent  feelings,  nor  was  there  any 
thing  in  the  feeble  state  of  his  body,  and  the  appa 
rently    insurmountable   barriers    which  surrounded 
him  on  every  side  that  could  damp  his  ardor.     His 
benevolence  was  an  immortal  flame.     Many  waters 
could  not  quench  it,  neither  could  the  floods  drown 
it,  and  at  this  moment,  it  warms  the  spirit  that  tunes 
i-he  loudest  and  the  sweetest  harp  in  heaven. 


LIFE    OF    BRAIN  EBB.  245 

The  life  of  Brainerd  presents  a  conduct  worthy  of 
the  closest  imitation.  Twenty  such  men  in  Britain 
laboring  for  ten  years,  what  would  they  not  accom 
plish,  not  a  town,  not  a  village  in  the  empire  would 
have  reason  to  complain  <*J<o  man  careth  fur  our 
souls."  Lord  of  the  harvest  send  forth  many  such 
laborers.  "Thou  that  hast  the  seven  stars  in  thy 
right  hand,  appoint  thy  chosen  priests  according  to 
their  orders  and  courses  of  old,  to  minister  before 
thee,  and  duly  to  press  and  pour  out  the  consecrated 
oil  into  thy  holy  and  ever-burning  lamps.  For  this 
purpose,  send  out  the  spirit  of  prayer  upon  thy 
churches,  and  stir  up  their  vows  as  the  sound  of  many 
waters  round  about  thy  throne." 

We  learn  from  the  life  of  holy  Brainerd  the  value 
and  honor  which  we  ought  to  put  upon  the  missiona 
ries  of  Christ.  If  we  esteem  ministers  who  labor 
in  civilized  places,  surrounded  by  their  friends,  and 
protected  by  lawj  surely  missionaries,  whose  exer 
tions  are  far  more  abundant  than  theirs,  and  who  are 
deprived  of  all  the  endearments  of  society,  and  ex 
posed  to  the  most  imminent  dangers,  have  an  infi 
nitely  higher  claim  upon  our  regard. 

A  missionary  demands  our  admiration.  To  sac 
rifice  every  earthly  interest,  to  choose  a  dreary  ex 
ile,  to  abjure  the  consolations  of  friendship  in  our 
native  country,  to  labor  where  we  are  not  known, 
where  the  voice  of  encouragement  is  never  heard, 
and  the  tear  of  affection  never  mingled  with  our 
own,  displays  a  greatness  beyond  even  the  concep 
tion  of  common  men.  1  never  see  a  missionary  but 
1  think  I  behold  a  visible  representation  of  Him  who 
went  about  doing  good. 

A  missionary  claims  our  sympathy.  What!  are 
we  brethren  in  Christ  Jesus?  I3o  we  long  for  the 
glory  of  Messiah's  kingdom?  And  shall  we  not  re 
member,  with  sympathizing  kindness,  those  who, 
because  the  love  of  Christ  constraineth  them, 
are  voluntary  sufferers  in  heathen  countries.  Yes! 
ye  missionaries  of  Jesus;  if  we  forget  you,  "may 
our  right  hand  forget  its  cunning." 


244  1LIFE  OF  BRAINERD. 

Missionaries  need  our  prayers.  In  tliis  respect  we 
are  bound  to  hold  up  their  hands.  We  should  never 
bow  before  a  throne  of  grace  without  earnestly  im 
ploring;  the  choicest  blessings  of  heaven  to  be  poured 
forth  upon  them. 

Missionaries  likewise  deserve  our  support;  \ve 
should  give  of  the  <gold  of  Sheba/  to  those  who  are 
the  most  active  and  devoted  laborers  in  the  vineyard 
of  our  Lord.  They  should  suffer  no  privation  when 
we  can  furnish  them  with  the  comforts  they  require. 
"Supported  is  their  right,"  and  I  dare  believe  that 
the  liberality  of  Christians  will  always  encourage 
the  work  of  missions,  that  they  will  ever  exert  i  hem- 
selves  for  the  glorious  object  which  they  have  sol 
emnly  pledged  themselves  to  promote  at  the  altar  of 
devotion. 

We  have  abundant  reason  to  rejoice  in  the  diffu 
sion  of  a  missionary  spirit,  and  in  the  increase  of 
missionaries.  Holy  Brainerd  feels  his  heaven  en 
riched  while  he  contemplates  the  enlargement  of 
Emmanuel's  empire.  He  was  but  the  morning- 
star  of  a  missionary  day.  The  twilight  has  now 
passed  away,  the  morning  dawns,  the  star  gives 
place  to  the  glorious  sun,  and  that  sun  shall  enlight 
en  the  whole  globe  at  one  and  the  same  moment:  the 
earth  shall  be  full  of  his  glory,  and  it  shall  be  a  glory 
of  grace  and  truth,  of  righteousness  and  peace.  «O 
thou  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  come  forth 
out  of  thy  royal  chambers,  put  on  the  visible  robes 
of  thy  imperial  majesty,  take  up  that  unlimited 
sceptre,  which  thy  Almighty  Father  hath  bequeathed 
thee,  for  now  the  voice  of  thy  bride  calls  thee,  and  all 
creatures  sigh  to  be  renewed." 


APPENDIX, 


CONTAINING 


SOME  REFLECTIONS  AND  OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE 
MEMOIRS  OF  MR.  BKAINERD. 


BY   PRESIDENT   EDWARDS- 


WE  have  here  opportunity,  as  I  apprehend,  in  a  very 
lively  instance,  to  see  the  nature  of  true  religion;  and 
the  manner  of  its  operation  when  exemplified  in  a 
high,  degree  and  powerful  exercise.  Particularly  it 
may  be  worthy  to  he  observed, 

How  greatly  Mr.  Brai nerd's  religion  differed 
from  that  of  some  pretenders  to  the  experience  of  a 
clear  work  of  saving  conversion  wrought  on  their 
hearts;  who  depending  and  living  on  that,  settle  in  a 
cold,  careless,  and  carnal  frame  of  mind,  and  in  a 
neglect  of  thorough,  earnest  religion,  in  the  stated 
practice  of  it.  Although  his  convictions  and  conver 
sion  were  in  all  respects  exceeding  clear,  and  very 
remarkable;  yet  how  far  was  he  from  acting  as 
though  lie  thought  lie  had  got  through  Ids  work,  when 
once  he  had  obtained  comfort,  and  satisfaction  of  his 
interest  in  Christ,  and  title  to  heaven?  On  the  con 
trary,  that  work  on  his  heart,  by  which  he  was 
brought  to  this,  was  with  him  evidently  but  the  be 
ginning  of  his  work,  his  first  entering  on  the  great 
business  of  religion  and  the  service  of  God,  his  first 
setting  out  in  his  race.  His  obtaining  rest  of  soul  in 
Christ,  after  earnest  striving  to  enter  in  at  the  strait 
gate,  and  being  violent  to  take  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
Ue  did  not  look  tupon  as  putting  an  end  to  any  fur- 


240  REFLECTIONS. 

ther  occasion  for  striving  and  violence  in  religion; 
but  these  were  continued  still,  and  maintained  con- 
stand),  through  all  changes,  to  the  very  end  of  life. 
His  work  was  not  finished,  nor  his  race  ended,  till 
life  was  ended;  agreeable  to  scripture  representations 
of  the  Christian  life.  He  continued  pressing  forward 
in  a  constant  manner,  forgetting  the  things  that 
were  behind,  and  reaching  forth  towards  the  things 
that  were  before.  His  pains  and  earnestness  in 
the  business  of  religion  were  rather  increased, 
than  diminished,  after  he  had  received  comfort  arid 
satisfaction  concerning  the  safety  of  his  state.  Those 
divine  principles,  which  after  this  he  was  actuated  by, 
of  love  to  God,  and  longings  and  thirstings  after  ho 
liness,  seem  to  be  more  effectual  to  engage  him  to 
pains  and  activity  in  religion,  than  fear  of  hell  had 
been  before. 

And  as  his  conversion  was  not  the  end  of  his 
work,  or  of  the  course  of  his  diligence  and  strivings 
in  religion;  so  neither  was  it  the  end  of  the 
work  of  the  spirit  of  God  on  his  heart;  but  on  the  con 
trary,  tha  beginning  of  that  work;  the  beginning  of 
his  spiritual  discoveries,  and  holy  views;  the  first 
dawning  of  the  light,  which  thenceforward  increased 
more  and  more;  the  beginning  of  his  holy  affections, 
his  sorrow  for  sin,  his  love  to  God,  his  rejoicing  in 
Christ  Jesus,  his  longings  after  holiness.  And  the 
powerful  operations  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  these 
things,  were  carried  on,  from  tSie  day  of  his  conver 
sion,  in  a  continued  course,to  his  dying  day.  His  re 
ligious  experiences,  his  admiration,  his  joy,  and  praise, 
and  flowing  affections,  did  not  only  hold  up  to  a  con 
siderable  height  for  a  few  days,  weeks,  or  months, 
at  first,  while  hope  and  comfort  were  new  things  with 
him:  and  then  gradually  dwindle  and  die  away, 
till  they  came  to  almost  nothing,  and  so  leave  him 
without  any  sensible  or  remarkable  experience  of 
spiritual  discoveries,  or  holy  and  divine  affections 
for  months  together;  as  it  is  with  many,  who,  after 
the  newness  of  things  is  over,  soon  come  to  that  pass, 
that  is  again  with  them  very  much  as  it  used  to  be 


REFLECTIONS. 

before  their  supposed  conversion;  with  respect  to  any 
present  views  of  God's  glory,  of  Christ's  excellency, 
or  of  the  beauty  of  divine  things;  and  with  respect  to 
any  present  thirstings  for  God,  or  ardent  out-goings 
of  their  souls  after  divine  objects:  but  only  now  and 
then  the)'  have  a  comfortable  reflection  on  things  they 
have  met  with  in  times  past,  and  are  something  af 
fected   with   them;  and  so   rest  easy,  thinking  all 
things   are  well;  they  have  had  a  good  clear  work, 
and  their  state  is  safe,  and  they  doubt  not  but  they 
shall  go  to  heaven   when  they  die.     How  far  other 
wise  was  it  with  Mr.  Brainerd,  than  it  is  with  such 
persons!  His  experiences,  instead  of  dying   away, 
were  evidently  of  an  increasing  nature.   His  first  love 
and  other  holy  affections,  even  at  the  beginning,  were 
very  great;  but  after  months  and  years  it  became 
much  greater,  and  more  remarkable;  and  the  spirit 
ual  exercises  of  his  mind  continued  exceeding  great 
(though  not  equally  so  at  all  times,  jet  usually  so,) 
without  indulged   remissness,  and  without  habitual 
dwindling   and   dying  away,  even  till  his  decease. 
They  began  in  a  time  of  general  deadness  all  over  the 
land,  and  were  greatly  increased  in  a  time  of  general 
reviving  of  religion.     And  when    religion  decayed 
again,  and  a  general  deadness  returned,  his  experien 
ces  were  still  kept  up   in  their   height,  and  his  holy 
exercises   maintained  in  their  life  arid  vigor;  and  so 
continued  to   be,  in  a   general  course,  wherever  he 
was,  and  whatever  his  circumstances  were,  among 
English  and  Indians,  in  company  and  alone,  in  towns 
and  cities,  and  in  the  howling  wilderness,  in  sickness 
and  in  health,  living  and  dying.  This  is  agreeable  to 
Scripture  descriptions  of  true  and  right  religion,  and 
of  the  Christian  life.     The  change,  that  was  wrought 
in  him  at  his  conversion,  was  agreeable  to  Scripture 
representations  of  that  change  which  is  wrought  in 
true  conversion;    a  great  change,  and   an    abiding 
change,  rendering  him  a  new  man,  a  new  creature; 
not  only  a  change  as  to  hope  and  comfort,  and  an  ap 
prehension  of  his  own  good  estate;  and  a  transient 
change,  consisting  in  high  flights  of  passing  affections; 


248 

but  a  change  ofnaturc,  a  change  of  the  abiding  habit 
and  temper.of  his  mind.  Nor  a  partial  change,  merely 
in  point  of  opinion,  or  outward  reformation;  much 
less  a  change  from  one  error  to  another:  from  one  sin 
to  another:  but  an  universal  change,  both  internal 
and  external;  as  from  corrupt  and  dangerous  prin 
ciples  in  religion,  unto  the  belief  of  the  truth,  so 
from  both  the  habits  and  ways  of  sin,  unto  univer 
sal  holiness  of  heart  and  practice;  from  the  power 
and  service  of  Satan  unto  God. 

His  religion  did  apparently  and  greatly  differ  from 
that  of  many  high  pretenders  to  religion,  who  are 
frequently  actuated  by  vehement  emotions  of  mind, 
and  are  carried  on  in  a  course  of  sudden  and  strong 
impressions ,  and  supposed  high  illuminations  and  im 
mediate  discoveries,  and  at  the  same  time  are  persons 
of  a  virulent  "zeal,  not  according  to  knowledge." 

His  convictions,  preceding  his  conversion,  did  not 
arise  from  any  frightful  impressions  on  his  imagina 
tion,  or  any  external  images  and  ideas  of  fire  and 
brimstone,  a  sword  of  vengeance  drawn,  a  dark  pit 
open,  devils  in  terrible  shapes,  &c.  strongly  fixed  in 
his  mind.  His  sight  of  his  own  sinfulness  did  not 
consist  in  any  imagination  of  a  heap  of  loathsome 
material  filthiness  within  him;  nor  did  his  sense  of 
the  hardness  of  his  heart  consist  in  any  bodily  feeling 
in  his  breast  something  hard  and  heavy  like  a  stone, 
nor  in  any  imaginations  whatever  of  such  a  nature. 

His  first  discovery  of  God,  of  Christ,  at  his  conver 
sion,  was  not  any  strong  idea  of  any  external  glory 
or  brightness,  or  majesty  and  beauty  of  countenance, 
or  pleasant  voice;  nor  was  it  any  supposed  immedi 
ate  manifestation  of  God's  love  to  him  in  particular; 
nor  any  imagination  of  Christ's  smiling  face,  arms 
open, 'or  words  immediately  spoken  to  him,  as  by 
name,  revealing  Christ's  love  to  him;  either  words  of 
Scripture  or  any  other:  but  a  manifestation  of  God  V 
glory,  and  the  beauty  of  his  nature,  as  supremely  ex-* 
cellent  in  itself;  powerfully  drawing,  and  sweetly 
captivating  the  heart;  bringing  him  to  a  hearty  de 
sire  to  exalt  God,  set  him  on  the  throne,  and  give 


REFLECTIONS.  249 

him  supreme  honor  and  glory,  as  the  king  and  sov 
ereign  of  the  universe;  and  also  a  new  sense  of  the 
infinite  wisdom,  suitableness,  and  excellency  of  the 
way  of  salvation  by  Christ;  powerfully  engaging 
his  whole  soul  to  embrace  this  way  of  salvation,  and 
to  delight  in  it.  His  first  faith  did  not  consist  in  be 
lieving  that  Christ  loved  him,  and  died  for  him  in 
particular.  His  first  comfort  was  not  from  any  se 
cret  suggestion  of  God's  eternal  love  to  him,  or  tiiat 
God  was  reconciled  to  him,  or  intended  great  mercy 
for  him;  by  any  such  texts  as  these,  "Son  be  of  good 
cheer,  thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee.  Fear  not  1  am 
thy  God,"  &c.  or  in  any  such  way.  On  the  contra 
ry,  when  God's  glory  was  first  discovered  to  him,  it 
was  without  any  thought  of  salvation  as  his  own. 
His  first  experience  of  the  sanctifying  and  comforting 
power  of  God's  Spirit  did  not  begin  in  some  bodily 
sensation,  any  pleasant  warm  feeling  in  his  breast, 
that  he  (as  some  others)  called  the  feeling  of  the  love 
of  Christ  in  him,  and  being  full  of  the  Spirit.  How 
exceeding  far  were  his  experiences  at  his  first  con 
version  from  things  of  such  a  nature! 

And  if  we  look  through  the  whole  series  of  his  ex 
periences,  from  his  conversion  to  his  death,  we  shall 
find  none  of  this  kind.  1  have  had  occasion  to  read 
liis  diary  over  and  over,  and  very  particularly  and 
critically  to  review  every  passage  in  it;  and  I  find 
no  one  instance  of  a  strong  impression  on  his  imagi 
nation,  through  his  whole  life:  no  instance  of  a  strong 
ly  impressed  idea  of  any  external  glory  and  bright 
ness,  of  any  bodily  form  and  shape,  any  beautiful 
majestic  countenance:  no  imaginary  sight  of  Christ 
hanging  on  the  cross,  with  his  blood  streaming  from 
his  wounds;  or  seated  in  heaven  on  a  bright  throne, 
with  angels  and  saints  bowing  before  him;  or  with 
a  countenance  smiling  on  him;  or  ai-ms  open  to  em 
brace  him:  no  ^sight  of  heaven,  in  his  imagination, 
with  gates  of  pearl,  and  golden  streets,  and  vast  mul 
titudes  of  glorious  inhabitants,  withshining  garments: 
no  sight  of  the  book  of  life  opened,  with  his  name 
written  in  it;  no  hearing  of  the  sweet  music  made  by 
22 


£50  REFLECTIONS. 

the  songs  of  heavenly  hosts;  no  hearing  God  or 
Christ  i uiiiied lately  speaking  to  him;  nor  any  sudden 
suggestions  of  words  or  sentences,  either  words  of 
Scripture  or  any  other,  as  then  immediately  spoken 
or  sent  to  him:  no  new  objective  revelations,  no  sud 
den  strong  suggestions  of  secret  facts.  Nor  do  I  find 
any  one  instance  in  all  the  records  he  has  left  of  his 
own  life,  from  beginning  to  end,  of  joy  excited  from 
a  supposed  immediate  witness  of  the  spirit;  or  inward 
immediate  suggestion,  that  his  state  was  surely  good; 
that  God  loved  him  with  an  everlasting  love,  that 
Christ  died  for  him  in  particular,  and  that  heaven 
was  his;  either  with  or  without  a  text  of  Scripture: 
no  instance  of  comfort  by  a  sudden  bearing  in  upon 
Lis  mind,  as  though  at  that  very  time  directed  by  God 
to  him  in  particular,  any  such  kind  of  texts  as  these; 
"Fear  not  J  am  with  thee. — It  is  your  Father's  good 
pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom. — You  have  not 
chosen  me,  but  1  have  chosen  you. — I  have  called 
thee  by  thy  name,  thou  art  mine. — Before  thou  wast 
formed  in  the  belly,  1  knew  thee,"  &c.  No  supposed 
communion  and  conversation  with  God  carried  on 
in  this  way;  no  such  supposed  tasting  of  the  love  of 
Christ  But  the  way  he  was  satisfied  of  his  own 
good  estate,  even  to  the  entire  abolishing  of  fear, 
was  by  feeling  within  himself  the  lively  actings  of  a 
lioly  temper  and  heavenly  disposition,  the  vigorous 
exercises  of  that  divine  lovey  which  cast  out  fear. 
This  was  the  way  he  had  full  satisfaction  soon  alter 
his  conversion,  (see  his  diary  on  October  Ifc  and  19, 
1740.)  And  we  find  no  other  way  of  satisfaction 
through  his  whole  life  afterwards;  and  this  he  abun 
dantly  declared  to  be  the  way,  the  only  way  that  he 
had  complete  satisfaction,  when  he  looked  death  in 
the  face,  in  its  near  approaches. 

Some  of  the  pretenders  to  an  immediate  witness  by 
suggestion,  and  defenders  of  it,  with  an  assuming  con 
fidence,  would  bear  us  in  hand,  that  there  is  no  full 
assurance  without  it;  and  that  the  way  of  being  satis 
fied  by  signs,  and  arguing  an  interest  in  Christ  from 
sanctification,  if  it  will  keep  men  quiet  in  life  and 


REFLECTIONS. 

health,  yet  will  never  do  when  they  come  to  die;  then 
(they  say)  men  must  have  immediate  witness,  or  else 
he  in  a  dreadful  uncertainty.  But  Mr.  Brainei'd's 
experience  is  a  confutation  of  ihis;  for  in  him  we 
have  an  instance  of  one  that  possessed  as  constant 
and  unshaken  an  assurance,  through  the  course  of 
his  life,  after  conversion,  as  perhaps  can  be  produced 
in  this  age;  which  yet  he  obtained  and  enjoyed  \\ith- 
out  any  such  sort  of  testimony,  and  without  all  man 
ner  of  appearance  of  it,  or  pretence  to  it;  yea  v\hilc 
utterly  disclaiming  any  such  thing  and  declaring 
against  it:  and  one  whose  assurance  we  need  not 
scruple  to  ailirrn,  has  as  fair  a  claim,  and  as  just  a 
pretension  to  truth  and  genuineness,  as  any  that  the 
pretenders  to  immediate  witness  can  produce:  and 
not  only  an  instance  of  one  that  had  such  an  assur 
ance  in  life,  but  had  it  in  a  constant  manner  in  his 
last  illness;  and  particularly  in  the  latter  stages  of  it, 
through  those  last  months  of  his  life,  therein  deatk 
was  more  sensibly  approaching,  without  the  least 
l«»yc  of  life:  and  had  it  too  in  its  fulness,  and  in  the 
height  of  its  exQ ••*'»****.,  mui^i*  i.!n»s*»  y«ii«*t»t«»»i  i»-»^i*7 
that  he  had  in  this  space  of  time;  when  brought  from 
time  to  time  to  the  very  brink  of  the  grave,  expect 
ing  in  a  few  minutes  to  be  in  eternity.  lie  had  "tho 
full  assurance  of  hope,  unto  the  end."  When  on  the 
v  verge  of  eternity,  he  then  declares  his  assurance  to 
be  such  as  perfectly  secluded  all  fear:  and  nut  only 
so,  but  it  manifestly  filled  his  soul  with  exceeding 
joy:  he  declaring  at  the  same  time,  that  this  his  con 
solation  and  good  hope  through  grace  arose  wholly 
from  the  evidence  he  had  of  his  good  estate,  by  what 
he  found  of  his  sanctification,  01  the  exercise  of  a 
holy,  heavenly  temper  of  mind,  supreme  love  to  God, 
&c.  and  not  in  the  least  from  any  immediate  witness 
by  suggestion:  yea,  he  declares  that  at  these  very 
times  he  saw  the  awful  delusion  of  that  confidence 
which  is  huilt  on  such  a  foundation,  as  well  as  of  the 
whole  of  that  religion  which  it  usually  springs  from, 
or  at  least  is  the  attendant  of;  and  that  his  soul  ab 
horred  those  delusions:  and  he  continued  in  this 


252  INFLECTIONS. 

mind,  often  expressing  it  with  much  solemnity,  even 
till  death. 

Mr.  Brai nerd's  religion  was  not  selfish  and  merce 
nary,  his  Jove  to  God  was  primarily  and  principally 
ior  the  supreme  excellency  of  his  own  nature,  and 
not  built  on  a  preconceived  notion  that  God  loved  /itwi, 
had  received  him  into  favor,  and  had  done  great 
things  for  him,  or  promised  great  things  to  him:  so 
his  joy  was  joy  in  God,  and  not  jn  himself.  We 
see  hy  his  diary  how,  from  time  to  time,  through 
the  course  of  his  life,  his  soul  was  filled  with  ineffable 
sweetness  and  comfort.  But  what  was  the  spring  of 
this  strung  and  abiding  consolation?  Not  so  much 
the  consideration  of  the  sure  grounds  he  had  to  think 
that  his  state  was  good,  that  God  had  delivered  him 
from  hell,  and  that  heaven  was  his;  or  any  thoughts 
concerning  his  own  distinguished,  happy,  and  exalted 
circumstances,  as  a  high  favorite  of  heaven:  but  the 
sweet  meditations  and  entertaining  views  he  had 
of  divine  things  without  himself;  the  affecting  con 
siderations  and  lively  ideas  of  God's  infinite  glory, 
Jttis  unchangeable  blessedness,  his  ouvercignty  and 
universal  dominion;  together  with  the  sweet  exercises 
of  love  to  God,  giving  himself  up  to  him,  abasing 
himself  before  him,  denying  himself  for  him,  de 
pending  upon  him,  acting  for  his  glory,  diligently 
serving  him;  and  the  pleasing  prospects  or  hopes 
he  had  of  a  future  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ,  &c. 

It  appears  plainly  and  abundantly  all  along,  from 
his  conversion  to  his  death,  that  that  beauty,  that  sort 
«>f  good,  which  was  the  great  object  of  the  new  sense 
of  his  mind,  the  new  relish  and  appetite  given 
him  in  conversion,  and  thenceforward  maintained 
and  increased  in  his  heart,  was  holiness,  conformity 
to  God,  living  to  God,  and  glorifying  him.  This 
was  what  drew  his  heart;  this  was  the  centre  of  his 
soul;  this  was  the  ocean  to  which  all  the  streams  of  his 
religious  affections  tended:  this  was  the  object  that 
engaged  his  eager  thirsting  desires  and  earnest  pur 
suits:  he  knew  no  true  excellency  or  happiness,  but 


REFLECTIONS.  253 

this:  this  was  what  he  longed  for  most  vehemently  and 
constantly  on  earth;  and  this  was  wiih  him  the  beauty 
and  blessedness  of  heaven;  which  made  him  so  much 
and  so  often  to  long  for  that  world  of  glory;  it  was  to 
be  perfectly  holy,  and  perfectly  exercised  in  the  holy 
employments  of  heaven;  thus  to  glorify  God  and  en 
joy  him  for  ever. 

His  religious  illuminations,  affections,  and  comfort 
seemed  to  a  great  degree  to  be  attended  with  evan 
gelical  humiliation;  consisting  in  a  sense  of  his  own 
utter  insufficiency,  despicable  ness,  and  odious  ness; 
with  an  answerable  disposition  and  frame  of  heart. 
How  deeply  affected  was  he  almost  continually  with 
his  great  defects  in  religion;  with  his  vast  distance 
from  that  spirituality  and  holy  frame  of  mind  that 
became  him;  with  his  ignorance,  pride,  dead  ness,  un 
steadiness,  barrenness?  He  was  not  only  affected  with 
the  remembrance  of  his  Cornier  sinfulness  before  his 
conversion,  hut  with  a  sense  of  his  present  vilcncss 
and  pollution.  He  was  not  only  disposed  to  think 
meanly  of  himself  as  before  God,  and  in  comparison  of 
him,  but  amongst  men,  and  as  compared  with  them. 
He  was  apt  to  think  other  saints  better  than  he;  yea, 
to  look  on  himself  as  the  meanest  and  least  of  saints; 
yea,  very  often,  as  the  vilest  and  worst  of  mankind. 
And  notwithstanding  his  great  attainments  in  spirit 
ual  knowledge,  yet  we  find  there  is  scarce  any  thing 
that  he  is  more  frequently  affected  and  abased  with 
a  sense  of,  than  his  ignorance. 

How  eminently  did  he  appear  to  be  of  a  meek  and 
quiet  spirit,  resembling  the  lamb-like,  dove-like 
Spirit  of  Jesus  Christ!  How  full  of  love,  meekness, 
quietness,  forgiveness,  and  mercy!  His  love  was 
not  merely  a  fondness  and  zeal  for  a  party,  but  an 
universal  benevolence;  very  often  exercised  in  the 
most  sensible  and  ardent  love  to  his  greatest  oppo 
se  rs  and  enemies.  His  love  and  meekness  were  not 
a  mere  pretence,  and  outward  profession  and  show; 
but  they  were  effectual  things  manifested  in  expen 
sive  and  painful  deeds  of  love  and  kindness;  and 
in  a  meek  behavior,  readily  confessing  faults  under 


the  greatest  trials,  and  humbling  himself  even  at  the 
feet  of  those  from  whom  he  supposed  he  had  suffered 
most;  and  from  time  to  time  very  frequently  praying 
for  his  enemies,  abhorring  the  thought  of' bitterness 
and  resentment  towards  them.  1  scarcely  know 
where  to  look  for  any  parallel  instance  of  self-denial, 
in  these  respects  and  the  present  age.  He  was  a 
person  of  great  zeal:  but  how  did  he  abhor  a  bitter 
zeal,  and  lament  it  where  he  saw  it;  and  though  he 
was  once  drawn  into  some  degrees  of  it,  by  the  force 
of  prevailing  example,  as  it  were  in  his  childhood;  yet 
how  did  he  go  about  with  a  heart  bruised  and  broken 
in  pieces  for  it  all  his  life  after! 

Of  how  soft  and  tender  a  spirit  was  he!  How  far 
were  his  experiences,  hopes,  and  joys,  from  a  tenden 
cy  finally  to  stupify  and  harden  him,  to  lessen  con 
victions  and  tenderness  of  conscience,  to  cause  him 
to  be  less  affected  with  present  and  past  sins,  and  less 
conscientious  with  respect  to  future  sins,  more 
easy  in  the  neglect  of  duties  that  are  troublesome  and 
inconvenient,  more  slow  and  partial  in  complying 
\vitb  difficult  commands,  less  apt  to  be  alarmed  at 
the  appearance  of  his  own  defects  and  transgressions, 
more  easily  induced  to  a  compliance  with  carnal  ap 
petites!  On  the  contrary,  how  tender  was  his  con* 
science!  How  apt  was  his  heart  to  smite  him!  How 
easily  and  greatly  was  he  alarmed  at  the  appearance 
of  moral  evil!  How  great  and  constant  was  his  jeal 
ousy  over  his  own  heart!  How  strict  his  care  and 
watchfulness  against  sin!  How  deep  and  sensible 
were  the  wounds  that  sin  made  in  his  conscience! 
Those  evils  that  are  generally  accounted  small,  were- 
almost  an  insupportable  burden  to  him;  such  as  his 
inward  deficiencies,  his  having  no  more  love  to  God, 
finding  within  himself  any  slackness  or  dulness  in 
religion,  any  unsteadiness  or  wandering  frame  of 
mind,  &c.  how  did  the  consideration  of  such  things  as 
these  oppress  and  abase  him  and  fill  him  with  inward 
shame  and  confusion!  His  love  and  hope,  though 
they  were  such  as  cast  out  a  servile  fear  of  bell  yet 
they  were  such  as  were  attended  with,  and  abun- 


BEBXECTION*, 

dantly  cherished  and  promoted  a  reverential,  filial 
fear  of  God,  a  dread  of  sin,  and  of  God's  holy  dis- 
ph  asure.  His  joy  seemed  truly  to  be  a  rejoicing 
with  trembling.  His  assurance  and  comfort  differed 
greatly  from  a  false  enthusiastic  confidence  and  joy, 
in  that  it  promoted  and  maintained  mourning  for  sin: 
hoiy  mourning  with  him,  was  not  only  the  work  of  an 
hour  or  a  day,  at  his  first  conversion;  but  sorrow  for 
sin  was  like  a  wound  constantly  running;  he  was  a 
mourner  for  sin  all  his  days.  He  did  not  after  he 
received  comfort  and  full  satisfaction  of  the  forgiveness 
of  all  his  sins,  and  the  safety  of  his  state,  forget  his 
past  sins,  the  sins  of  his  youth,  that  wrere  committed 
before  his  conversion,  but  the  remembrance  of  them, 
from  time  to  time,  revived  in  his  heart,  with  renewed 
grief.  That  in  Ezek.  xvi,  63,  was  evidently  fulfilled 
in  him,  'That  thou  mayest  remember,  and  be  con 
founded,  and  never  open  thy  mouth  any  more,  be 
cause  of  thy  shame;  when  I  am  pacified  toward  thee 
for  all  that  thou  hast  done.'  And  how  lastingly 
did  the  sins  that  he  committed  after  his  conversion, 
affect  and  break  his  heart!  If  he  did  any  thing 
whereby  he  thought  he  had  in  any  respect  dishonored 
God,  and  wounded  the  interest  of  religion;  he  had 
never  done  with  calling  it  to  mind  with  sorrow  and 
bitterness;  though  he  was  Assured  that  God  had  for 
given  it,  yet  he  never  forgave  himself:  his  past  sor 
rows  and  fears  made  no  satisfaction  with  him;  but 
till  the  wound  renews  and  bleeds  afresh,  again  and 
again.  And  his  present  sins  that  he  daily  found  in 
himself,  were  an  occasion  of  daily  sensible  and  deep 
sorrow  of  heart. 

His  religion  did  not  consist  in  unaccountable  flights 
and  vehement  pangs;  suddenly  rising  and  suddenly 
falling;  at  some  turns  exalted  almost  to  the  third 
heavens,  and  then  at  other  turns  negligent,  vain, 
carnal,  and  swallowed  up,  with  the  world,  for  days 
and  weeks,  if  not  months  together.  His  religion 
was  not  like  a  blazing  meteor,  or  like  a  flaming 
comet  (or  a  wandering  star,  as  the  apostle  Jude 
calls  it,  verse  IS,)  flying  through  the  firmanent  with 


258  REFLECTIONS. 

a  bright  train,  and  then  quickly  going  out  in  perfect 
darkness;  but  more  like  the  steady  lights  of  heaven, 
that  are  constant  principles  of  light  though  some 
times  hid  with  clouds:  nor  like  a  land  tlood,  which 
flows  far  and  wide,  with  a  rapid  stream,  bearing 
down  all  afoi-e  it,  and  then  dried  up;  but  more  like 
a  stream  fed  by  living  springs;  which  though  some 
times  increased  by  showers,  and  at  other  times  di 
minished  by  drought,  yet  is  a  constant  stream. 

"His  religious  affections  and  joys  were  not  like 
those  of  some,  who  have  rapture  and  mighty  emotions 
from  time  to  time  in  company;  but  have  very  little 
affection  in  retirement  and  secret  places.  Though 
ho  was  of  a  very  sociable  temper,  and  loved  the 
company  of  saints,  and  delighted  very  much  in  re 
ligious  conversation,  and  in  social  worship;  yet  his 
warmest  affections,  and  their  greatest  effects  on  ani 
mal  nature,  and  his  sweetest  joys,  were  in  his  closet 
devotions,  and  solitary  transactions  between  God  and 
his  own  soul;  as  is  very  observable  through  his 
whole  course,  from  his  conversion  to  his  death.  He 
delighted  greatly  in  sacred  retirements;  and  loved  to 
get  quite  away  from  all  the  world,  to  converse  with 
God  alone  in  secret  duties. 

Mr.  Brainerd's  experiences  and  comforts  were 
very  far  from  being  like  t^se  of  some  persons,  which 
are  attended  with  a  spiritual  satiety,  and  put  an  end 
to  their  religious  desires  and  longings,  at  least  to  the 
edge  arid  ardency  of  them;  resting  satisfied  in  their 
own  attainments  and  comforts,  as  having  obtained 
their  chief  end,  which  is  to  extinguish  their  fears  of 
hell,  and  give  them  confidence  of  the  favor  of  God. 
How  far  were  his  religious  affections,  refreshments, 
and  satisfactions,  from  such  an  operation  and  influ 
ence  as  this!  On  the  contrary  how  were  they  always 
attended  with  longings  and  thhstings  alter  greater 
degrees  of  conformity  to  God!  And  the  greater  and 
sweeter  his  comforts  were,  the  more  vehement  were 
his  desires  after  holiness.  For  it  is  to  be  observed, 
that  his  longings  were  not  so  much  after  joyful  dis 
coveries  of  God's  love,  and  clear  views  of  his  title  to 


REFLECTIONS.  257 

future  advancement  and  eternal  honors  in  heaven;  as 
alter  more  of  present  holiness,  greater  spirituality, 
an  heart  more  engaged  for  God,  to  love,  exalt,  and 
depend  on  him:  and  ability  better  to  serve  him,  to  do 
more  for  his  glory,  $nd  to  do  all  that  he  did  with 
more  of  a  regard  to  Christ  as  his  righteousness  and 
strength;  and  after  the  enlargement  arid  advance 
ment  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  the  earth.  And  his  de 
sires  were  not  idle  wish  ings  and  wouldings,  but  such 
as  were  powerful  and  effectual,  to  animate  him  to  the 
earnest  eagerpursuit  of  these  things,  with  utmost  dili 
gence  and  unfainting  labor  and  self-denial.  His  com 
forts  never  put  an  end  to  his  seeking  after  God,  and 
striving  to  obtain  his  grace;  but  on  the  contrary, 
greatly  engaged  and  enlarged  him  therein. 

His  religion  did  not  consist  only  in  experience, 
without  practice.  All  his  inward  illuminations,  af 
fections,  and  comforts  seemed  to  have  a  direct  tend 
ency  to  practice,  and  to  issue  in  it,  and  this  not 
merely  a  practice  negatively  good,  free  from  gross 
acts  of  irreligion  and  immorality;  but  a  practice 
^iti-cely  holy  and  Ch;j8nari.  jn  a  "serious,  "devout, 
humble,  meek,  merciful,  charitable,  and  beneficent 
conversation;  making  the  service  of  God,  and  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  business  of  life,  which 
he  was  devoted  to,  and  pursued  with  the  greatest 
earnestness  and  diligence  to  the  end  of  his  days, 
through  all  trials.  In  him  was  to  be  seen  the  right 
way  of  being  lively  in  religion:  his  liveliness  in  re 
ligion  did  not  consist  merely  or  mainly  in  his  being 
lively  with  the  tongue,  but  in  deed;  not  in  being  for 
ward  in  profession  and  outward  show,  and  abundant 
in  declaring  his  own  experiences;  but  chiefly  in  be 
ing  active  and  abundant  in  the  labors  and  duties  of 
religion:  "not  slothful  in  business,  but  fervent  in 
spirit,  serving  the  Lord,  and  serving  his  generation, 
according  to  the  will  of  God. 

iiy  these  things,  many  high  pretenders  to  religion 
and  professors  of  extraordinary  spiritual  experience, 
may  be  sensible,  that  Mr.  Urainerd  did  greatly  con 
demn  their  kind  of  religion;  and  that  not  only  in 


258  REFLECTIONS. 

word,  but  by  example,  both  living  ana  dying;  as  the 
whole  series  of  his  Christian  experience  and  practice, 
from  his  conversion  to  his  death,  appears  a  constant 
condemnation  of  it. 

It  cannot  he  objected,  that  &e  reason  why  he  so 
much  disliked  the  religion  of  thase  pretenders,  and  why 
his  own  so  much  differed  from  it,  was,  that  his  expe 
riences  were  not  clear.  There  is  no  room  to  say,  they 
were  otherwise,  in  any  respect,  in  \vhich  clearness 
of  experience  has  been  wont  to  be  insisted  on; 
Whether  it  be  the  clearness  of  their  nature,  or  of  their 
order,  and  the  method  his  soul  was  at  first  brought 
to  rest  and  comfort  in  his  conversion.  1  am  tar 
from  thinking  (and  so  was  he)  that  clearness  of  the 
order  of  experiences,  is,  in  any  measure,  of  equal  im 
portance  with  the  clearness  of  their  nature:  L  have 
sufficiently  declared  in  my  discourse  on  religious 
affections  (which  he  expressly  approved  of  and  recom 
mended.)  that  1  do  not  suppose,  a  sensible  distinct 
ness  of  the  steps  of  the  spirit's  operation  and  method 
of  successive  convictions  and  illuminations,  is  a  nec 
essary  requisite  to  person4*  lciu£  received  hi  ft:Jl 
charity 9  as  true  saints;  provided  the  nature  of  the 
tilings  they  profess  be  right,  and  their  practice 
agreeable.  Nevertheless,  it  is  observable  -(which  cuts 
off  all  objection,  from  such  as  would  he  most  unreason 
ably  disposed  to  object  and  cavil  in  the  present  cas«\) 
HO  it  was,  that  Mr.  I5iainerd's  experiences  were  not 
only  clear  in  the  latler  respect,  but  remarkably  so  in 
the  former:  so  that  there  is  not  perhaps  one  instance 
in  five  hundred  true  converts,  that  on  this  account 
can  be  paralleled  with  him. 

It  cannot  be  pretended,  that  the  reason  why  he  so 
much  abhorred  and  condemned  the  notions  and  ex 
periences  of  those  whose  Jirst faith  consists  in  believ 
ing  that  Christ  is  theirs,  and  that  Christ  died  for  them! 
without  any  previous  experience  of  union  of  heart  to 
him,  for  his  excellency,  as  he  is  in  himself,  and  not 
for  his  supposed  love  to  them;  and  who  judge  of 
their  interest  in  Christ,  their  justification,  and  God's 
love  to  them,  not  by  their  sanctification,  and  the  ex- 


REFLECTIONS^  259 

ercises  and  fruits  of  grace,  Ihit  by  a  supposed  imme 
diate  witness  of  the  spirit  by  inward  suggestion:  I 
say,  it  cannot  be  pretended,  that  the  reason  why  he 
so  much  detested  and  condemned  such  opinions  and  ex 
periences,  was,  that  he  was  of  a  too  legal  spirit;  either 
that  he  never  was  dead  to  the  law,  never  experienced 
a  thorough  work  of  conviction,  was  never  fully' 
brought  off  from  his  own  righteousness,  and  wearied 
from  the  old  covenant,  by  a  thorough  legal  humiliation; 
or  that  afterwards,  he  had  no  great  degree  of  evan 
gelical  humiliation,  not  living  in  a  deep  sense  of  his 
own  emptiness,  wretchedness,  poverty,  and  absolute 
dependance  on  the  mere  grace  of  God  through  Christ. 
For  his  convictions  of  sin,  preceding  his  first  conso 
lations  in  Christ,  were  exceedingly  deep  and  thor 
ough;  his  trouble  and  exercise  of  mind,  by  a  sense 
of  sin  and  misery,  very  great  and  long  continued;  arid 
the  light  let  into  his  mind  at  his  conversion,  and  in 
progressive  sanctification,  appears  to  have  had  iis 
genuine  humbling  influence  upon  him,  to  have  kept 
him  low  in  his  own  eyes,  not  confiding  in  himself,  but 
in  Christ,  'Jiving  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  and 
looking  for  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  eternal 
life.' 

Nor  can  it  be  pretended,  that  the  reason  why  he 
condemned  these,  and  other  things,  which  this  sort 
of  people  call  the  very  height  of  vital  religion  and 
the  power  of  godliness,  was,  that  he  was  a  dead 
Christian,  and  lived  in  the  dark,  (as  they  express 
themselves;)  that  his  experiences,  though  they  might 
be  true,  were  not  great;  that  he  did  not  live  near  to 
God,  had  but  a  small  acquaintance  with  him,  and 
had  but  a  dim  sight  of  spiritual  things.  If  any, 
after  they  have  read  the  preceding  account  of  Mr. 
Brainerd's  life,  will  venture  to  pretend  thus,  they  will 
only  show  that  they  themselves  are  in  the  dark,  and 
do  indeed  "put  darkness  for  light,  and  light  for 
darkness." 

This  history  of  Mr.  Brainerd  may  help  us  to  make 
distinctions  among  the  religious  affections,  and  re 
markable  impressions  made  on  the  minds  of  persons 


260  REFLECTIONS. 

in  a  time  of  great  awakening,  find  revival  of  religion; 
and  may  convince  us,  that  there  are  not  only  dis 
tinctions  in  theory,  invented  to  save  the  credit  of 
pretended  revivals  of  religion,  and  what  is  called  the 
experience  of  the  operations  of  the  Spirit;  but  distinc 
tions  that  do  actually  take  place  in  the  course  of 
events,  and  have  a  real  and  evident  foundation  in  fact. 

Not  only  do  the  opposers  of  all  religion,  consisting 
in  powerful  operations  and  affections,  thus  confound 
things;  but  many  of  the  pretenders  to  such  religion 
do  so.  They  that  have  been  the  subjects  of  some 
sort  of  vehement,  but  vain  operations  on  their  mind; 
when  they  hear  the  relation  of  the  experiences  of 
some  real  and  eminent  Christians,  they  say,  their 
experiences  are  of  the  same  sort:  so  they  say,  they 
are  just  likp  the  experiences  of  eminent  Christians 
in  former  times,  which  we  have  printed  accounts  of. 
So,  I  doubt  riot,  but  there  are  many  deluded  people, 
if  they  should  read  the  preceding  account  of  Mr. 
Brainerd's  life,  who  reading  without  much  under 
standing  or  careful  observation,  would  say,  without 
hesitation,  that  some  things  which  they  have  met 
with,  are  of  the  very  same  kind  with  what  he  ex 
presses:  when  the  agreement  is  only  in  some  gen 
eral  circumstances,  or  some  particular  things  that 
are  superficial,  and  belonging  as  it  were  to  the  pro 
fession  and  outside  of  religion;  but  the  inward  tem 
per  of  mind,  and  the  fruits  in  practice,  are  as  oppo 
site  and  distant  as  east  and  west. 

Many  honest^  good  people  also,  and  true  Christians, 
do  not  very  well  know  how  to  make  a  difference. 
The  glittering  appearance  and  glaring  show  of  false 
religion  dazzles  their  eyes;  and  they  sometimes  are 
so  deluded  by  it,  that  they  look  on  some  of  these  im 
pressions,  which  hypocrites  tell  of,  as  the  brightest 
experiences.  And  though  they  have  experienced 
no  such  things  themselves,  they  think,  it  is  because 
they  are  vastly  lower  in  attainments,  and  but  babes, 
in  comparison  with  these  flaming  Christians.  Yea, 
sometimes  from  their  differing  so  much  from  those 
who  make  so  great  a  show,  they  doubt  whether  thejr 


REFLECTIONS.  261 

have  any  grace  at  all.  And  it  is  a  harcf  thing,  to 
bring  many  well-meaning  people  to  make  proper 
distinctions  in  this  case;  and  especially  to  maintain 
and  stand  by  them,  through  a  certain  weakness  they 
unhappily  labor  of,  whereby  they  are  liable  to  be 
overcome  with  the  glare  of  outward  appearances. 
Thus,  if  in  a  sedate  hour  they  are  by  reasoning 
brought  to  allow  such  and  such  distinctions,  yet  the 
next  time  they  come  in  the  way  of  the  great  show  of 
false  religion;  the  dazzling  appearance  swallows 
them  up,  and  they  are  carried  away.  Thus  the 
devil  by  his  cunning  artifices,  easily  dazzles  the 
feeble  sight  of  men,  and  puts  them  beyond  a  capac 
ity  of  a  proper  exercise  of  consideration,  or  heark 
ening  to  the  dictates  of  calm  (bought,  and  cool  under 
standing.  When  they  perceive  the  great  affection, 
earnest  talk,  strong  voice,  assured  looks,  vast  con 
fidence,  and  bold  assertions,  of  these  empty  assum 
ing  pretenders,  they  are  overborne,  lose  the  pos 
session  of  their  judgment,  and  say,  "Surely  these 
men  are  in  the  right,  God  is  with  them  of  a  truth;" 
and  so  they  are  carried  away,  not  with  light  and 
reason,  but  (like  children)  as  it  were  with  a  strong 
wind. 

This  confounding  all  things  together,  that  have  a 
fair  show,  is  but  acting  the  part  of  a  child,  that  going 
into  a  shop,  where  a  variety  of  wares  are  exposed 
for  sale  (all  of  a  shining  appearance;  some  vessels  o£ 
gold  ana  silver,  and  some  diamonds  and  other  pre 
cious  stones;  and  other  things  that  are  toys  of  little 
value,  which  are  of  some  base  metal  gilt  or  glass 
polished,  and  painted  with  curious  colors,  or  cut  like 
diamonds,)  should  esteem  all  alike,  and  give  as  great 
a  price  for  the  vile  as  for  the  precious;  or  it  is  like 
the  conduct  of  some  unskilful  rash  person  who  find 
ing  himself  deceived  by  some  of  the  wares  he  had 
bought  at  that  shop,  should  at  once  conclude  all  he 
there  saw  was  of  no  value;  and  pursuant  to  such  a 
conclusion,  when  afterwards  he  has  true  gold  and 
diamonds  offered  him,  enough  to  enrich  him,  and  en- 
23 


262  REFLECTIONS. 

able  him  to  live  like  a  prince  all  his  days  lie  should 
throw  it  all  into  the  sea. 

But  we  must  get  into  another  way.  The  want  of 
distinguishing  in  things  that  appertain  to  experi 
mental  religion,  is  one  of  the  chief  miseries  of  the 
professing  world.  It  is  attended  with  very  many 
most  dismal  consequences:  multitudes  of  souls  are 
fatally  deluded  about  themselves,  and  their  own 
state;  and  so  arc  eternally  undone:  hypocrites  are 
confirmed  in  their  delusions,  and  exceedingly  puffed 
up  with  pride;  many  sincere  Christians  are  dread 
fully  perplexed,  darkened,  tempted,  and  drawn  aside 
from  the  way  of  duty;  and  sometimes  sadly  tainted 
with  false  religion,  to  the  great  dishonor  of  Chris 
tianity,  and  hurt  of  their  own  souls:  some  of  the 
most  dangerous  and  pernicious  enemies  of  religion 
in  the  world  (though  they  are  called  bright  Chris 
tians)  are  encouraged  and  honored;  who  ought  to  be 
discountenanced  and  shunned  by  every  body:  and 
prejudices  arc  begotten  and  confirmed  in  vast  multi 
tudes,  against  every  thing  wherein  the  power  and 
essence  of  godliness  consists;  and  in  the  end  Deism 
and  Atheism  are  promoted. 

The  foregoing  account  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  life  may 
afford  matter  of  conviction,  that  there  is  indeed  such 
a  tiling  as  true  experimental  religion,  arising  from 
immediate  divine  influences,  snpernaturally  enligh 
tening  and  convincing  the  mind,  and  powerfully  im 
pressing,  quickening,  sanctifying,  and  governing  tho 
heart:  which  religion  is  indeed  an  amiable  thing,  of 
happy  tendency,  and  of  no  hurtful  consequence  to 
human  society;  notwithstanding  there  having  been 
so  many  pretences  and  appearances  of  what  is  called 
experimental  vital  religion,  that  have  proved  to  be 
nothing  but  vain,  pernicious  enthusiasm. 

If  any  insist,  that  Mr.  Brainerd's  religion  was 
enthusiasm,  and  nothing  but  a  strange  heat  and  blind 
fervor  of  mind,  arising  from  the  strong  fancies  and 
dreams  of  a  notional  whimsical  brain;  1  would  ask, 
if  it  be  so,  that  such  thiugs  as  these  are  the  fruits  of 
enthusiasm,  viz.  a  great  degree  of  honesty  and  sim-  j 


[REFLECTIONS.  £63 

plicity,  sincere  and  earnest  desires  and  endeavors  to 
know  and  do  whatever  is  right,  and  to  avoid  every 
thing  that  is  wrong;  an  high  degree  of  love  to  God, 
delight  in  the  perfections  of  his  nature,  placing  the 
happiness  of  life  in  him;  not  only  in  contemplating 
him,  hut  in  being  active  in  pleasing,  and  serving 
him;  a  firm  and  undouhting  belief  in  the  Messiah,  as 
the  Savior  of  the  world,  the  great  Prophet  of  God, 
and  King  of  God's  church;  together  with  great  love 
to  him,  delight  and  complacence  in  the  way  of  sal 
vation  by  him,  and  longing  for  the  enlargement  of 
his  kingdom;  earnest  desires  that  God  may  be  glori 
fied  and  the  Messiah's  kingdom  advanced,  whatever 
instruments  are  made  use  of;  uncommon  resignation 
to  the  will  of  God,  and  that  under  vast  trials;  great 
and  universal  benevolence  to  mankind,  reaching  all 
sorts  of  persons  without  distinction,  manifested  in 
sweetness  of  speech  and  behavior,  kind  treatment, 
mercy,  liberality,  and  earnest  seeking  (he  good  of 
the  souls  and  bodies  of  men;  attended  with  extraor 
dinary  humility,  meekness,  forgiveness  of  injuries, 
and  love  to  enemies;  and  a  great  abhorrence  of  a  con 
trary  spirit  and  practice;  not  only  as  appearing  in 
others,  but  whereinsoever  it  had  appeared  in  him 
self;  causing  the  most  bitter  repentance,  and  broken- 
ness  of  heart  on  account  of  any  past  instances  of 
such  a  conduct:  a  modest,  discreet,  and  decent  de- 
porfment,  among  superiors,  inferiors,  and  equals;  a 
most  diligent  improvement  of  time,  and  earnest  care 
to  lose  no  part  of  it;  great  watchfulness  against  all 
sorts  of  sin,  of  heart,  speech,  and  action:  and  this 
example  and  these  endeavors  attended  with  most 
happy  fruits,  and  blessed  effects  on  others,  in  hu 
manizing,  civilizing,  and  wonderfully  reforming  and 
transforming  some  of  the  most  brutish  savages;  idle, 
immoral,  drunkards,  murderers,  gross  idolaters,  and 
vvizzards;  bringing  them  to  permanent  sobriety,  dil 
igence,  devotion,  honesty,  conscientiousness,  and 
charity;  and  the  foregoing  amiable  virtues  arid  suc 
cessful  labors  all  ending  at  last  in  a  marvellous 
peace,  unmoveable  stability,  calmness,  and  resigna- 


264  E£FLECTIO>?. 

tion,  in  the  sensible  approaches  of  death:  with  long 
ing  for  the  heavenlv  state;  not  only  for  the  honors 
ami  circumstantial  advantages  of  it,  but  above  all  for 
the  moral  perfection,  and  holy  and  blessed  em] 
ments  of  it:  and  these  things  in  a  person  indisputa 
bly  of  good  understanding  and  judgment:  i  say,  if 
all  these  tilings  are  the  fruits  of  enthusiasm,  why 
should  not  enthusiasm  be  thought  a  desirable  and  ex 
cellent  thing?  fur  what  can  true  refti£  .  what  can 
the  best  philosophy  do  more?  if  vapors  and  whimsy 
will  bring  men  to  the  most  thorough  virtue,  to  the 

benign  and  fruitful  morality:  and  will  maintain 
it  through  a  course  of  life,  (attended  with  many 
trials)  without  affectation  or  self-exaltation,  and  with 
an  honest  constant  bearing  testimony  against  the 
wildness,  the  extravagances,  the  bitter  zeal,  assum 
ing:  behavior,and  separating  spirit  of  enthusiasts;  and 
will  do  all  this  the  more  effectually,  than  any  thing 
else  has  ever  done  in  any  plain  known  instance  that 
can  be  produced;  if  it  be  so,  I  say,  what  cai;^: 

the  world  to  prize  and  pray   for  this  blessed 
whimsicalness,  and  these  benign  sort  of  vapors? 

The    preceding  serves    to   confirm  those 

doctrines  usually  called  the  doctrines  of  grace.     For 
if  it  be  allowed  that  there  is  truth,  substance,  or  ral- 

the  main  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  religion,  it  will  un- 
•edly    follow,  that  those  doctrines  are  cli 

is  e\ident,  that  the  whole  of  it,  from  begin 
ning  to  end,  is  according  to  that  scheme  of  tl. ing- 
built  on   those   apprehension?,  notion-, 
that   are  produced    and  established  in  the  mind  by 
those  doctrines.    He  was  brought  by  d<. . 
kind  to  hi*  awakening,  and  deep  concern  about  things 
of  a  spiritual  and  eternal  nature;  and  by  these  doc 
trines  his  convictions  were   maintained    and  carried 
on;     and    his  conversion    was   evidently    altogether 
agreeable  to  this  scheme,  but  by  no  means  ag! \ 
\\"ith    the  contrary,  and  ur  tent  with  the 

Arminian  notion  of  conversion  or  repentance.     His 
conversion  was  plainly  founded  in  a  clear  strong  con- 

the  truth  of 


REFLECTIONS,  £65 

those  things  appertaining  to  these  doctrines,  which 
Arminians  most  object  against,  and  which  his  own 
mind  had  contended  most  about.  And  his  conversion 
was  so  confirming;  and  perfecting  of  moral  principles 
and  habits,  by  use  and  practice,  and  his  own  labor  in 
an  industrious  disciplining  himself,  together  with  the 
concurring  suggestions  and  conspiring  aids  of  God's 
Spirit;  but  entirely  a  supernatural  work,  at  once 
turning  him  from  darkness  to  marvellous  light,  and 
from  the  power  of  sin  to  the  dominion  of  divine  and 
holy  principles;  an  effect  in  no  regard  produced  by 
his  strength  or  labor,  or  obtained  by  his  virtue;  and 
not  accomplished  till  he  was  first  brought  to  a  full 
conviction,  that  all  his  own  virtue,  strength,  labors, 
and  endeavors,  could  IICYIT  avail  any  thing  to  the 
producing  or  procuring  this  effect. 

A  very  little  while  before,  his  mind  was  full  of  the 
same  cavils  against  the  doctrines  of  God's  sove 
reign  grace,  which  are  made  by  Arminians;  and  his 
heart  even  full  of  a  raging  opposition  to  them.  And 
God  was  pleased  to  perform  this  good  work  in  him 
just  after  a  full  end  had  been  put  to  this  cavilling  and 
opposition;  after  he  was  entirely  convinced,  that  he 
was  dead  in  sin,  and  was  in  the  hands  of  God,  as  the 
absolutely  sovereign,  unobliged,  sole  disposer  and 
author  of  true  holiness.  God's  showing  him  mercy 
at  such  a  time,  is  a  confirmation,  that  this  was  a 
preparation  for  mercy;  and  consequently,  that  these 
tilings  which  he  was  convinced  of  were  true:  while 
he  opposed  these  tilings,  he  was  the  subject  of  no 
such  mercy;  though  he  so  earnestly  sought  it,  and 
prayed  for  it  with  so  much  painfulness,  care,  and 
strictness  in  religion:  but  when  once  his  opposition 
is  fully  subdued,  and  he  is  brought  to  submit  to  the 
truths,  which  he  before  had  opposed,  with  full  con 
viction,  then  the  mercy  he  sought  for  is  granted,  with 
abundant  light,  great  evidence,  and  exceeding  joy, 
and  he  reaps  the  sweet  fruit  of  it  all  his  life  after, 
and  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 

In  his  conversion,  he  was  brought  to  see  the 
glory  of  that  way  of  salvation  by  Christ,  that  is 
*23 


&66  REFLECTIONS. 

taught  in  what  are  called  the  doctrines  of  grace;  and 
thenceforward,  with  unspeakable  joy  and  compla 
cence,  to  embrace  and  acquiesce  in  that  way  of  salva 
tion.      He  was  in   his  conversion,  in  all   respects, 
brought  to  those  views,  and  that  state  of  mind  which 
these  doctrines  show    to  be  necessary.      And  if  his 
conversion  was  any  real   conversion,  or  any  thing 
besides  a  mere  whim,  and  if  the  religion  of  his  life 
was  any  thing  else  but  a  series  of  freaks  of  a  whim- 
sical  mind,  then  this  one  grand  principle,  on  which 
depends  the  whole  difference  between  (Jalvinists  and 
Arminians,   is   undeniable,  via.  that   the   grace  or 
virtue  of  truly  good  men,  not  only  differs  from  the 
virtue  of  others   in  degree,  but  even  in  nature  and 
kind.     If  ever  Mr.   Brainerd  was  truly  turned  from 
sin  to  God  at  all,  or  ever  became  truly  religious,  none 
can  reasonably  doubt  but  that  his  conversion  was  at 
the  time  when  he  supposed  it  to  be:  the  change  he 
then  experienced,  was  evidently  the  greatest  moral 
change  that  ever  he  passed  under;  and  he  was  then 
apparently  first  brought  to   that   kind    of  religion, 
that  remarkable  new  habit  and  temper  of  mind,which 
he  held  all  his  life  after.  The  narration  shows  it  to  be 
different  in  nature  and  kind,  from  all  that  he  ever  was 
the  subject  of  before.      It   was   evidently  wrought 
at  once  without  fitting  and  preparing  his  mind,   by 
gradually  convincing  it  more  and  more  of  the  same 
truths,  and  bringing  it  nearer  and  nearer  to  such    a 
temper:  for  it  was  soon  after  his  mind  had  been  re 
markably  full  of  blasphemy,  and  a  vehement  exer 
cise  of  sensible  enmity  against  God,  and  great  oppo 
sition  to  those  truths,  which  he   was  now   brought 
with  his  whole  soul  to  embrace,  and  rest  in,  as  divine 
and     glorious,    and  to  place   his    happiness  in    the 
contemplation  and  improvement  of.     Arid  he  himself 
(who  was  surely  best  able  to  judge)  declares,  that  the 
Dispositions  and   affections,  which  were   then  given 
him,  and   thenceforward   maintained   in   him,  were 
most,  sensibly  and  certainly,  perfectly   different,  in 
their  nature,  from  all  that  ever  he  was  the  subject  of 
before,  or  that  he  had  ever  any  conception  of.     This 


REFLECTIONS.  267 

he  ever  stood  to,  and  was  peremptory  in  (as  what  he 
certainly  knew)  even  to  his  death.  He  must  be 
looked  upon  as  capable  of  judging:  he  had  opportu 
nity  to  know:  he  had  practised  a  great  deal  of  relig 
ion  before,  was  exceedingly  strict  and  conscientious, 
and  had  continued  so  for  a  long  time:  had  various 
religious  affections,  with  which  he  often  flattered 
himself,  and  sometimes  pleased  himself  as  being  now 
in  a  good  estate:  and  after  he  had  those  new  experi 
ences,  that  began  in  his  conversion,  they  were  contin 
ued  to  the  end  of  his  life;  long  enough  for  him  thor 
oughly  to  observe  their  nature,  and  compare  them, 
with  what  had  been  before.  Doubtless  he  was 
compos  mentis;  and  was  at  least  one  of  so  good  an 
understanding  and  judgment,  as  to  be  pretty  well  ca 
pable  of  discerning  and  comparing  the  things  that 
passed  in  his  own  mind. 

It  is  further  observable,  that  his  religion  all  along 
operated  in  such  a  manner  as  tended  to  confirm  his 
mind  in  the  doctrines  of  God's  absolute  sovereignty, 
man's  universal  and  entire  dependence  on  God's 
power  and  grace,  &c.  The  more  his  religion  pre 
vailed  in  his  heart,  and  the  fuller  he  was  of  divine 
love,  and  of  clear  and  delightful  views  of  spiritual 
things,  and  the  more  his  heart  was  engaged  in  God's 
service;  the  more  sensible  he  was  of  the  certainty 
and  the  excellency  and  importance  of  these  truths, 
and  the  more  he  was  affected  with  them,  and  rejoiced 
in  them.  And  he  declares  particularly,  that  when 
he  lay  for  a  long  while  on  the  verge  of  the  eternal 
world,  often  expecting  to  be  in  that  world  in  a  few 
minutes,  yet  at  the  same  time  enjoying  great  serenity 
of  mind,  and  clearness  of  thought,  and  being  most 
apparently  in  a  peculiar  manner  at  a  distance  from 
an  enthusiastical  frame,  he  "at  that  time  saw  clearly 
the  truth  of  those  great  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  which 
are  justly  styled  THE  DOCTRINES  OP  GRACE,  and 
never  felt  himself  so  capable  of  demonstrating  the 
truth  of  them." 

So  that  it  was  very  evident, Mr.  Brainerd's  religion 
was  wholly  correspondent  to  what  is  called  the  CAJL- 


268  REFLECTIONS. 

VINISTICAL  scheme,  and  was  the  effect  of  those  doc 
trines  applied  to  his  heart:  and  certainly  it  cannot 
be  denied,  that  the  effect  was  good,  unless  we  turn 
Atheists  or  Deists.  1  would  ask,  whether  there  be 
any  such  thing,  in  reality,  as  Christian  devotion? 
If  there  be,  what  is  it?  what  is  its  nature?  and  what 
its  just  measure?  should  it  not  be  in  a  great  degree? 
We  read  abundantly  in  Scripture, of  "loving  God  with 
all  the  heart,  with  all  the  soul,  with  all  the  mind,  and 
with  all  the  strength,  of  delighting  in  God,  of  rejoicing 
in  the  Lord,  rejoicing  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full 
of  glory,  the  soul's  magnifying  the  Lord,  thirsting  for 
God,  hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness,  the 
soul's  breaking  for  the  longing  it  hath  to  God's  judg 
ments,  praying  to  God  with  groanings  that  cannot  be 
uttered, mourning  for  sin  with  a  broken  heart  and  con 
trite  spirit,"  &c.  How  full  is  the  book  of  Psalms,  and 
other  par  s  of  Scripture,  of  such  things  as  these! 
Now  wherein  do  these  things  as  expressed  by  and  ap- 
pearinginMr.  tJrainerd,  either  the  things  themselves, 
or  their  effects  and  fruits,  differ  from  the  Scripture 
representations?  ^These  things  ho  was  brought  to 
by  that  strange  ami  wonderful  transformation  of  the 
man,  which  he  called  his  conversion.  And  does 
not  (his  well  agree  with  what  is  so  often  said  in  the 
Old  Testament  and  New,  concerning  the  "giving  of  a 
new  heart,  creating  a  right  spirit,  a  being  renewed  in 
the  spirit  of  the  mind,  a  being  sanctified  throughout, 
becoming  a  new  creature,"  &c.  Now  where  is  there 
to  be  found  an  Arminian  conversion  or  repentance, 
consisting  in  so  great  and  admirable  a  change?  Can 
the  Arminians  produce  an  instance,  within  this  age, 
and  so  plainly  within  our  reach  and  view,  of  such  a 
reformation,  such  a  transformation  of  a  man,  to 
Scriptural  devotion,  heavenly  minded  ness,  and  true 
Christian  morality,  in  one  that  before  lived  without 
these  things,  on  the  foot  of  their  principles,  and 
through  the  influence  of  their  doctrines? 

And  here,  is  worthy  to  be  considered,  not  only  the 
effect  of  Calvinistical  doctrines  (as  they  are  called)  on 
Mr.  Brainerd  himself,  but  also  the  effect  of  the  same 


REFLECTIONS.  269 

doctrines,  as  taught  and  inculcated  by  him,  on  others. 
It  is  abundantly  pretended  and  asserted  of  late,  that 
these  doctrines  tend   to    undermine  the  very  founda 
tions  of  all  religion  and  morality,  and  to  enervate  and 
vacate  all    reasonable  motives   to   the  exercise  and 
practice  of  them,  and  lay  invincible  stumbling  blocks 
before  infidels,  to  hinder  their  embracing  Christian 
ity;  and  that  the  contrary  doctrines  are  the  fruitful 
principles  of  virtue  and  goodness,  set  religion  on  its 
right  basis,  represent  it  in  an  amiable  light,  give  its 
motives  their  full  force,  and  recommend  it  to  the  rea 
son  and  common  sense  of  mankind.     But  where  can 
they  find  an   instance  of  so  great  and  signal  an  effect 
of  their  doctrines,  in  bringing  infidels  who  were  at 
such  a  distance  from  all  that  is  civil,  human,  sober, 
rational,  and   Christian,  and   so    full  of  inveterate 
prejudices  against  these  things,  to  such  a  degree  of 
humanity,  civility,  exercise   of  reason,   self-denial, 
and  Christian  virtue?     Arminians  place  religion  in 
morality:  let  them    bring  an  instance  of  their  doc 
trines  producing  such  a  transformation  of  a  people  in 
point  of  morality.    It  is  strange  if  the  all-wise  God  so 
orders  things  in  his  providence,  that  reasonable  and 
proper  means,  and  his  own  means,  which  he  himself 
has   appointed,  should   in  no  known  remarkable  in 
stance  be  instrumental   to  produce  so  good  an  effect; 
an  effect  so  agreeable  to  his  own  word  and  mind,  and 
that  very  effect  for  which  he  appointed  these  excellent 
means;  that  they  should  not  be  so  successful,  as  those 
means   which  are  not  his  own  but  very  contrary  to 
them,  and  of  a  contrary  tendency:  means  that  are  in 
themselves  very  absurd,  and  tend  to  root  all  religion 
and  virtue  out  of  the  world,  to  promote  and  establish 
infidelity,  and  to  lay  an  insuperable  stumbling- block 
before  pagans,  to  hinder  their  embracing  the  Gospel: 
1  say,   if  this  be  the  true  state  of  the  case,  it  is  cer 
tainly  wonderful,  and  an  event  worthy  of  some  at 
tention. 

Is  there  not  much  in  the  preceding  memoirs  of  Mr. 
Brainerd  to  teach,  and  excite  to  duty,  us  who  are 
called  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  all  that  are 


270  REFLECTIONS* 

candidates  for  that  great  work?  What  a  deep  sense 
did  he  seem  to  have  of  the  greatness  and  importance 
of  that  work,  and  with  what  weight  did  it  lie  on  his 
mind!  how  sensible  was  he  of  his  own  insufficiency 
for  this  work;  and  how  great  was  his  dependence  on 
God's  su flic iency!  how  solicitous,  that  he  might  he 
fitted  for  it!  and  to  this  end,  how  much  time  did  he 
spend  in  prayer  and  fasting,  as  well  as  reading  and 
meditation;  giving  himself  to  these  things.'  how  did  he 
dedicate  his  whole  life,  all  his  powers  and  talents  to 
God;  and  forsake  and  renounce  the  world,  with  all 
its  pleasing  and  ensnaring  enjoyments,  that  he 
might  be  wholly  at  liberty  ta  serve  Christ  in  this 
work;  and  to  "please  him  who  had  chosen  him  to  be 
a  soldier  under  the  captain  of  our  salvation!"  With 
what  solicitude,  solemnity,  and  diligence  did  he  de 
vote  himself  to  God  our  Savior,  and  seek  his  presence, 
and  blessing  in  secret,  at  the  time  of  his  ordination! 
and  how  did  his  whole  heart  appear  to  be  constantly 
engaged,  his  whole  time  employed,  and  his  whole 
strength  spent  in  the  business  he  then  solemnly  un 
dertook  and  was  publicly  set  apart  to:  and  his  history 
show's  us  the  right  way  to  success  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  He  sought  it,  as  a  resolute  soldier  seeks 
victory,  in  a  .siege  or  battle;  or  as  a  man  that  runs 
a  race,  for  a  great  prize.  Animated  with  love  to 
Christ  and  souls,  how  did  he  "labor  always  fervent 
ly,"  not  only  in  word  and  doctrine,  in  public  and 
private,  but  in  prayers  day  and  night,  "wrestling 
with  God1'  in  secret,  and  "travailing  in  birth,"  with 
unutterable  groans  and  agonies,  "until  Christ  were 
formed"  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  whom  he  was 
sent!  how  did  he  thirst  for  a  blessing  on  his  ministry; 
and  "watch  for  souls  as  one  that  must  give  an  ac 
count!"  how  did  he  "go  forth  in  the  strength  of  the 
Lord  God;"  seeking  and  depending  on  a  special  in 
fluence  of  the  Spirit  to  assist  and  succeed  him!  and 
what  was  the  happy  fruit  at  last,  though  after  long 
waiting,  and  many  dark  and  discouraging  appearan 
ces!  like  a  true  son  of  Jacob,  he  persevered  in  wrest- 


REFLECTIONS.  271 

ling,  through  all  the  darkness  of  the  night,  until  the 
breaking  of  the  day. 

And  his  example  of  lahoring,  praying,  denying 
himself,  and  enduring  hardness,  with  unfaintirig  res 
olution  and  patience,  and  his  faithful,  vigilant,  and 
prudent  conduct  in  many  other  respects,  (which  it 
would  he  too  long  now  particularly  to  recite,)  may 
afford  instruction  to  missionaries  in  particular. 

There  is  much  in  the  preceding  account  to  excite 
and  encourage  God's  people  to  earnest  prayers  and 
endeavors  for  the  advancement  and  enlargement  of 
the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  world.  Mr.  Braincrd 
setns  an  excellent  example  in  this  respect:  he  sought 
the  prosperity  of  Zion  with  all  his  might:  he  prefer 
red  Jerusalem  ahove  his  chief  joy.  How  did  his  soul 
long  for  it,  and  pant  after  it!  and  how  earnestly  and 
often  did  he  wrestle  with  God  for  it!  and  how  far  did 
he,  in  thrse  desires  and  prayers,  seem  to  he  carried 
heyond  all  private  and  selfish  views!  being  animated 
by  a  pure  love  to  Christ,  an  earnest  desire  of  his 
glory,  and  a  disinterested  affection  to  the  souls  of 
mankind. 

The  consideration  of  this  not  only  ought  to  be  an 
incitement  to  the  people  of  God,  but  may  also  be  a 
just  encouragement  to  them,  to  be  much  in  seeking  and 
praying  for  a  general  out-pouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
and  extensive  revival  of  religion.  1  confess  that 
God's  giving  so  much  of  a  spirit  of  prayer  for  this 
mercy  to  so  eminent  a  servant  of  his,  and  exciting 
him,  in  so  extraordinary  a  manner,  and  with  such 
vehement  thirstings  of  soul,  to  agonize  in  prayer  for  it, 
from  time  to  time,  through  the  course  of  his  life,  is 
one  thing  among  others,  which  gives  me  great  hope, 
that  God  has  a  design  of  accomplishing  something 
very  glorious  for  the  interest  of  his  church  before  long. 
One  such  instance  as  this,  I  conceive,  gives  more  en 
couragement,  than  the  common,  cold,  formal  prayers 
of  thousands.  As  Mr.  Brainerd's  desires  and  prayers 
for  the  coming  of  Christ's  kingdom,  were  very  spe 
cial  and  extraordinary,  so,  1  think,  we  may  reason 
ably  hope,  that  the  God,  who  excited  those  desires 


272  REFLECTIONS. 

and  prayers,  will  answer  them,  with  something  spe 
cial  and  extraordinary.  And  in  a  particular  manner, 
do  1  think  it  worthy  to  be  taken  notice  of'for  our  en 
couragement,  that  he  had  his  heart  (as  he  declared) 
unusually,  and  beyond  what  had  been  before,  drawn 
out  in  longings  and  prayers  for  the  flourishing  of 
Christ's  kingdom  on  earth,  when  he  was  in  the  ap 
proaches  of  death;  and  that  with  his  dying  breath 
lie  did  as  it  were  breathe  out  his  departing  soul  into 
the  bosom  of  his  Redeemer,  in  prayers  and  pantings 
after  this  glorious  event;  expiring  in  a  very  great 
hope  that  it  would  soon  begin  to  be  fulfilled.  And  I 
wish  that  the  thoughts  which  he  in  his  dying  state  ex 
pressed  of  that  explicit  agreement,  and  visible  union 
of  God's  people,  in  extraordinary  prayer  for  a  gener 
al  revival  of  religion,  lately  proposed  in  a  memorial 
from  Scotland,  which  has  been  dispersed  among  us, 
may  be  well  considered  by  those  that  hitherto  have 
not  seen  fit  to  fall  in  with  that  proposal.  But  1  for 
bear  to  say  any  more  on  this  head,  having  already 
largely  published  my  thoughts  upon  it,  in  a  discourse 
written  on  purpose  to  promote  that  affair;  which,  I 
confess,  I  wish  that  every  one  of  my  readers  might 
be  supplied  with;  not  that  my  honor,  but  that  this 
excellent  design  might  be  promoted. 

One  thing  more  may  not  be  nnprofitably  ob 
served  in  the  preceding  account  of  Mr.  Brainerd: 
and  that  is  the  special  and  remarkable  disposal  of  di 
vine  providence,  with  regard  to  the  circumstances  of 
his  last  sickness  and  death. 

Though  he  had  long  been  infirm,  his  constitution 
being  much  broken  by  his  fatigues  and  hardships; 
and  though  he  was  often  brought  very  low  by 
illness,  before  he  left  Kaunaumeek,  and  also  while  he 
lived  at  the  Forks  of  Delaware:  yet  his  life  was  pre 
served,  till  he  had  seen  that  which  he  had  so  long  and 
greatly  desired  and  sought,  a  glorious  work  of  grace 
among  the  Indians,  arid  had  received  the  wished  for 
blessing  of  God  on  his  labors.  Though  as  it  were 
'•in  deaths  oft,"  yet  he  lived  to  behold  the  happy 
fruits  of  the  long  continued  travail  of  his  soul  and 


REFLECTIONS, 

labor  of  his  body,  in  the  wonderful  conversion  of 
many  of  the  Heathen,  and  the  happy  effect  of  it  in  the 
great  change  of  their  conversation  with  many  cir 
cumstances  which  afford  a  fair  prospect  of  the  con 
tinuance  of  God's  blessing  upon  them,  as  may  appear 
by  what  I  shall  presently  further  observe.  Thus  he 
did  riot  "depart*  till  his  eyes  had  seen  God's  salva 
tion." 

Though  it  was  the  pleasure  of  God,  that  he  should 
be  taken  off  from  his  labors  among  that  people  whom 
God  had  made  him  a  spiritual  father  to,  who  were  so 
dear  to  him,  and  whose  spiritual  welfare  he  was  so 
greatly  concerned  for;  yet  this  was  not  before  they 
were  well  initiated  and  instructed  in  the  Christian 
religion,  thoroughly  weaned  from  their  old  heathen 
ish  and  brutish  notions  and  practices;  and  all  their 
prejudices,  which  tended  to  keep  their  minds  un 
settled,  were  fully  removed;  and  they  were  confirm 
ed  and  fixed  in  the  Christian  faith  and  manners*  were 
formed  into  a  church,  had  ecclesiastical  ordinances 
and  discipline  introduced  and  settled;  were  brought 
into  a  good  way  with  respect  to  the  education  of 
children,  had  a  schoolmaster  sent  to  them  in  provi 
dence,  excellently  qualified  for  the  business,  and  had 
a  school  set  up  and  established,  in  good  order,  among 
them;  had  been  well  brought  off  from  their  former 
idle,  strolling,  sottish  way  of  living;  had  removed 
from  their  former  scattered  uncertain  habitations, 
and  were  collected  in  a  town  by  themselves,  on  a 
good  piece  of  land  of  their  own;  were  introduced  in 
to  the  way  of  living  by  husbandry,  and  begun  to  ex 
perience  the  benefits  of  it.  These  things  were  but 
just  brought  to  pass  by  his  indefatigable  application 
and  care,  and  then  he  was  taken  off  from  his  work  by 
illness.  If  this  had  been  but  a  little  sooner,  they  would 
not  have  been  so  well  prepared  for  such  a  dispensa 
tion;  and  it  probably  would  have  been  unspeakably 
more  to  the  hurt  of  their  spiritual  interest,  and  of  the 
cause  of  Christianity  among  them. 

The  time  and  circumstances  of  his  illness  were  so 
ordered,  that  he  had  just  opportunity  to  finish  his 
84 


2.74  KEFLECTIONS. 

journal  and  prepare  it  for  the  press;  giving  an  ac 
count  of  the  marvellous  display  of  divine  power  and 
grace  among  the  Indians  in  New  Jersey,  and  at  the 
Forks  of  Delaware:  his  doing  which  was  a  thing  ot 
great  consequence,  and  therefore  urged  upon  him  by 
the  correspondents,  who  have  honored  his  journal 
with  a  preface.  The  world  being1  particularly  and 
justly  informed  of  that  affair  by  Mr.  Brainerd  before 
his  death,  a  foundation  was  hereby  laid  for  a  concern 
in  others  for  that  cause,  and  proper  care  and  meas 
ures  to  be  taken  for  the  maintaining  it  after  his 
death.  As  it  has  actually  proved  to  be  of  great  in 
fluence  and  benefit  in  this  respect;  it  having  excited 
and  engaged  many  in  those  parts,  and  also  more 
distant  parts  of  America,  to  exert  themselves  for  the 
upholding  and  promoting  so  good  and  glorious  a 
work,  remarkably  opening  their  hearts  and  hands  to 
that  end:  and  not  only  in  America,  but  in  Great 
Britain,  where  that  journal  (which  is  the  same  that 
I  have  earnestly  recommended  to  my  readers  to  pos 
sess  themselves  of)  has  been  an  occasion  of  some 
large  benefactions,  made  for  the  promoting  the 
interest  of  Christianity  among  the  Indians.  If  Mr. 
Brainerd  had  been  taken  ill  but  a  little  sooner,  he  had 
not  been  able  to  complete  this  his  journal,  and  pre 
pare  a  copy  for  the  press. 

He  was  not  taken  off  from  the  work  of  the  min 
istry  among  his  people,  till  his  brother  was  in  a  capa 
city  and  circumstances  to  succeed  him  in  nis  care  of 
them:  who  succeeds  him  in  tUe  like  spirit,  and  under 
whose  prudent  and  faithful  care  his  congregation  has 
flourished,  and  been  very  happy,  since  he  left  them; 
and  probably  could  not  have  been  so  well  provided 
for,  otherwise.  If  Mr.  Brainerd  had  been  disabled 
sooner,  his  brother  would  by  no  means  have  been 
ready  to  stand  up  in  bis  place;  having  taken  his 
first  degree  at  college  but  about  that  very  time  thaj 
he  was  seized  with  his  fatal  consumption. 

Though  in  that  winter  that  he  lay  sick  at  Mr. 
'^  in  EUzabethtown,  he  continued  for  a 


INFLECTIONS.  275 

long  time  in  an  extremely  low  state,  so  that  his  life 
was  almost  despaired  of,  and  his  state  was  sometimes 
such  that  it  was  hardly  expected  he  would  live  a  day 
to  an  end;  yet  his  life  was  spared  a  while  longer; 
lie  lived  to  see  his  brother  arrived  in  New  Jersey, 
being  come  to  succeed  him  in  the  care  of  his  Indians; 
and  he  himself  had  opportunity  to  assist  in  his  ex 
amination  and  introduction  into  his  business:  and 
to  commit  the  conduct  of  his  dear  people  to  one 
whom  he  well  knew  and  could  put  confidence  in,  and 
use  freedom  with  in  giving  him  particular  instructions 
and  charges,  and  under  whose  care  he  could  leave 
his  congregation  with  great  cheerfulness. 

The  providence  of  God  was  remarkable  in  so  or 
dering  of  it,  that  before  his  death  he  should  take  a 
journey  into  New  England,  and  go  to  Boston;  which 
was  in  many  respects,  of  very  great  and  happy  con 
sequence  to  the  interest  of  religion,  and  especially 
among  his  own  people.  By  this  means,  as  has  been 
observed  he  was  brought  into  acquaintance  with 
many  persons  of  note  and  influence,  ministers  and 
others,  belonging  both  to  town  and  various  parts  of 
the  country;  and  had  opportunity,  under  the  best  ad 
vantages,  to  bear  a  testimony  for  God  and  truo 
religion,  and  against  those  false  appearances  of  it 
that  have  proved  most  pernicious  to  the  interests  of 
•Christ's  kingdom  in  the  land.  And  the  providence 
of  God  is  particularly  observable  in  this  circum 
stance  of  the  testimony  he  there  bore  for  true  relig 
ion,  viz.  that  he  was  there  brought  so  near  the 
grave,  and  continued,  for  so  long  a  time  on  the  very 
brink  of  eternity;  and  from  time  to  time  lookod  on 
himself,  and  was  looked  on  by  others,  as  just  leaving 
the  world;  and  that  in  these  circumstances  he  should 
he  so  particularly  directed  and  assisted  in  his 
thoughts  and  views  of  religion,  to  distinguish 
between  the  true  and  false,  with  such  clearness  and 
evidence;  and  that  after  this  he  should  be  unexpect 
edly  and  surprisingly  restored  and  strengthened,  so 
far  as  to  be  able  to  converse  freelv;  and  have  such 


276  REFLECTIONS. 

opportunity  and  special  occasions  to  declare  the  sen 
timents  he  had  in  these,  which  were,  to  human  appre 
hension,  his  dying  circumstances;  and  to  hear  his 
testimony  concerning  the  nature  of  true  religion, 
and  concerning  the  mischievous  tendency  of  its  most 
prevalent  counterfeits  and  false  appearances;  as 
things  he  had  a  special  and  distinct  view  of  at  that 
time,  when  he  expected  in  a  few  days  to  he  in  eter 
nity;  and  the  certainty  and  importance  of  which 
were  then,  in  a  peculiar  manner  impressed  on  his 
mind. 

Among  the  happy  consequences  of  his  going  to 
Boston,  were  those  liberal  benefactions  that  have 
been  mentioned,  which  were  made  by  piously  dis 
posed  persons,  for  the  maintaining  and  promoting 
the  interest  of  religion  among  his  people;  and  also 
the  meeting  of  a  number  of  gentlemen  in  Boston,  of 
note  and  ability,  to  consult  upon  measures  for  that 
purpose;  who  were  excited  by  their  acquaintance 
and  conversation  with  Mr.  Brainerd,  and  by  the  ac 
count  of  the  great  things  God  had  wrought  by  his 
ministry,  to  unite  themselves,  that  by  their  joint  en 
deavors  and  contributions  they  might  promote  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  and  the  spiritual  good  of  their 
fellow-creatures,  among  the  Indians  in  New  Jersey, 
and  elsewhere. 

It  was  also  remarkable,  that  Mr.  Brainerd  should 
go  to  Boston  at  that  time,  after  the  honorable  crm- 
missioners  there,  of  the  corporation  in  London,  for 
propagating  the  Gospel  in  ISew  England  and  parts 
adjacent,  had  received  Dr.  Williams's  legacy  for  the 
maintaining  of  two  missionaries  among  the  Heathen; 
and  at  a  time  when  they  having  concluded  on  a  mis 
sion  to  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  (so  called,) 
were  looking  out  for  fit  persons  to  be  employed  iu 
that  important  service.  This  proved  an  occasion  of 
their  committing  to  him  the  affair  of  finding  and 
recommending  suitable  persons:  which  has  proved  a 
successful  means  of  two  persons  being  found  and  ac 
tually  appointed  to  that  business;  who  seem  to  be 


REFLECTIONS,  i2<  7 

well  qualified  for  it,  and  to  have  their  hearts  greatly 
engaged  in  it;  one  of  which  has  been  solemnly  or 
dained  to  that  work  in  Boston,  and  is  now  gone 
forth  to  one  of  those  tribes,  who  have  appeared  well 
disposed  to  his  reception:  it  being  judged  not  con 
venient  for  the  other  to  go  till  the  next  spring  by 
reason  of  his  bodily  infirmity. 

These  happy  consequences  of  Mr.  Brainerd's 
journey  to  Boston  would  have  been  prevented,  in 
case  he  had  died,  when  he  was  brought  so  near  to 
death  in  New  Jersey.  Or  if  after  he  came  first  to 
Northampton  (where  he  was  much  at  a  loss  and  long 
deliberating  which  Way  to  bend  his  course,)  he  had 
determined  not  to  go  to  Boston. 

The  providence  of  God  was  observable  in  his  go 
ing  to  Boston  at  a  time  when  not  only  the  honorable 
commissioners  were  seeking  missionaries  to  the  Six 
Nations,  hut  just  after  his  journal,  which  gives  an 
account  of  his  labors  arid  success  among  the  Indians, 
had  been  received  and  spread  in  Boston;  whereby 
his  name  was  known,  and  the  minds  of  serious  peo 
ple  were  well  prepared  to  receive  his  person,  and  the 
testimony  he  there  gave  for  God;  to  exert  themselves 
for  the  upholding  and  promoting  the  interest  of  re 
ligion  in  his  congregation,  and  amongst  the  Indians 
elsewhere;  and  to  regard  his  judgment  concerning 
the  qualifications  of  missionaries,  ice.  If  he  bad 
gone  there  the  fall  before  (when  he  had  intended 
to  have  made  his  journey  into  New  England,  but 
was  prevented  by  a  sudden  great  increase  of  his 
illness,)  it  would  not  have  been  likely  to  have 
been  in  any  measure  to  so  good  effect:  and  also  if 
lie  had  not  been  unexpectedly  detained  in  Boston; 
for  when  he  went  from  my  house,  he  intended  to 
make  but  a  very  short  stay  there;  but  divine  Provi 
dence  by  his  being  brought  so  low  there,  detained 
him  long;  thereby  to  make  way  for  the  fulfilling  its 
own  gracious  designs. 

The  providence  of  God  was  remarkable  in  so  or 
dering,  that  although  he  was  brought  so  very  near 
24* 


S78  REFLECTIONS. 

the  grave  in  Boston,  that  it  was  not  iuthe  least  ex 
peeled  he  would  ever  come  alive  out  of  his  chamber; 
yet  he  wonderfully  revived,  and  was  preserved  sev 
eral  months  longer;  so  that  he  had  opportunity  to 
see,  and  fully  to  converse  with  both  his  younger 
brethren  before  he  died;  which  was  a  thing  he  greatly 
desired;  and  especially  to  see  his  brother  John,  with 
whom  was  left  the  care  of  his  congregation,  that  he 
might  by  him  be  fully  informed  of  their  state,  and 
might  leave  with  him  such  instructions  and  direc 
tions  as  were  requisite  in  order  to  their  spiritual 
welfare,  and  to  send  to  them  his  dying  charges  and 
counsels.  And  he  had  also  opportunity,  by  means 
of  this  suspension  of  his  death,  to  find  and  recom 
mend  a  couple  of  persons  fit  to  be  employed  as  mis 
sionaries  to  the  Six  Nations,  as  had  been  desired  of 
him. 

Thus  although  it  was  the  pleasure  of  a  sovereign 
God,  that  he  should  be  taken  away  from  his  congre 
gation,  the  people  that  he  had  begotten  through  the 
Gospel,  who  were  so  dear  to  him;  yet  it  was  granteti 
to  him,  that  before  he  died  he  should  see  them  well 
provided  for  every  way:  he  saw  them  provided  for 
with  one  to  instruct  them,  and  take  care  of  their 
souls — his  own  brother  whom  he  could  confide  in:  he 
saw  a  good  foundation  laid  for  the  support  of  the 
school  among  them;  those  things  that  before  were 
wanting  in  order  to  it,  being  supplied;  and  he  had 
the  prospect  of  a  charitable  society  being  established, 
of  able  and  well-disposed  persons,  who  seemed  to 
make  the  spiritual  interest  of  his  congregation  their 
own;  whereby  he  had  a  comfortable  view  of  their 
being  well  provided  for,  for  the  future:  and  he  had 
also  opportunity  to  leave  all  his  dying  charges  with 
his  successor  in  the  pastoral  care  of  his  people,  and 
by  him  to  send  his  dying  counsels  to  them.  Thus 
God  granted  him  to  see  all  things  happily  settled,  or 
in  a  hopeful  way  of  being  so,  before  his  death,  with 
respect  to  his  dear  people.  And  whereas  not  only 
his  own  congregation,  but  the  souls  of  the  Indians  in 


REFLECTIONS.  279 

.North  America  in  general,  were  very  dear  to  him, 
and  he  had  greatly  set  his  heart  on  the  propagating 
and  extending  the  kingdom  of  Christ  among  them; 
God  was  pleased  to  grant  to  him,  (however  it  was 
his  will,  that  he  should  he  taken  away,  and  so  should 
not  he  the  immediate  instrument  of  their  instruction 
and  conversion,  yet,)  that  before  his  death,  he  should 
see  unexpected  extraordinary  provision  made  for 
this  also.  And  it  is  remarkable  that  God  not  only 
allowed  him  to  see  such  provision  made  for  the  main 
taining  the  interest  of  religion  among  his  own  peo 
ple,  and  the  propagation  of  it  elsewhere;  but  honored 
him  by  making  him  the  means  or  occasion  of  it.  So 
that  it  is  very  probable,  however  Mr.  Brainerd  dur 
ing  the  last  four  months  of  his  life,  was  ordinarily  in 
an  extremely  weak  and  low  state,  very  often  scarcely 
able  to  speak;  yet  that  he  was  made  the  instrument 
or  means  of  much  more  good  in  that  space  of  time, 
than  he  would  have  been  if  he  had  been  well,  and  in 
full  strength  of  body.  Thus  God's  power  was  man 
ifested  in  his  weakness,  and  the  life  of  Christ  was 
manifested  in  his  mortal  fiesh. 

Another  thing,  wherein  appears  the  merciful  dis 
posal  of  Providence  with  respect  to  his  death,  was, 
that  he  did  not  die  in  the  wilderness,  among  the  sav 
ages  at  Kaunaumeck,  or  the  Forks  of  Delaware:  or 
at  Susquahannah;  but  in  a  place  where  his  dying 
behavior  and  speeches  might  he  observed  and  re 
membered,  arid  some  account  given  of  them  for  the 
benefit  of  survivors;  and  also  where  care  might  be 
taken  of  him  in  his  sickness,  and  proper  honors  done 
him  at  his  death. 

If  these  circumstances  of  Mr.  Brainerd's  death 
be  duly  considered,  1  doubt  not  but  they  will  be  ac 
knowledged  as  a  notable  instance  of  God's  fatherly 
care,  and  covenant  faithfulness  towards  them  that 
are  devoted  to  him,  and  faithfully  serve  him  while 
they  live;  whereby  "He  never  fails  nor  forsakes 
them,  but  is  with  them  living  and  dying;  so  that 
whether  they  live,  they  live  to  the  Lord:  or  whether 


280  KEFLECTIONS. 

they  die,  they  die  to  the  Lord;"  and  both  in  the  life 
and  death  they  are  owned  and  taken  care  of  as  his. 
Mr.  firainerd  himself,  as  was  before  observed,  was 
much  in  taking  notice  (when  near  his  end)  of  the 
merciful  circumstances  of  his  death;  and  said,  from 
time  to  time,  that  "God  had  granted  him  all  his 
desire." 


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Worcester's  Universal  Gazetteer,  2  vols.  40  00 

Do.  United  States  Do.  ^  _  .  2  50 

Watts's  Sermons,  2  vols.  -  5  00 

Wesley's  Life,  by  South ey,  2  50 
Watson's  History  of  the  reign  of  Philip  II,  2  vols.  5  00 
Wardlaw's  Discourses  on  the  Socinian  Controversy,  2  25 

Do.  Do.  in  Reply  to  Yates,  -  -  2  00 

Zollikoffer's  Sermons,  2  vols.  -  4  50 

Duodecimos  and  smaller. 

Allein's  Alarm  to  an  unconverted  Sinner,     -  -     S  1  00 

Abbott's  Sermons  to  Mariners,       -         -         -  1  00 

Addison's  Evidences  of  Christian  Revelation,  -      1  00 

Afflicted  Man's  Companion,  75 

Anthony's  (Miss  Susannah)  Life,            -  75 

Bellamy's  History  of  all  religions,  1  12  i 

Boston's  Fourfold  State,         -         -         -  1  25  ~ 

Buchanan's  Researches  in  Asia,  1  00 

Burder's  Village  Sermons,  4  vols.          -        -  4  00 

Cox's  Female  Scripture  Biography,  2  vols.  -        2  75 

Baxter's  Saint's  Everlasting  Rest,  -       1  00 

More's  Christian  Morals,  1  00 

Baxter's  Call  to  the  Unconverted,  62 £ 

Remains  of  Rev.  Richard  Cecil,  75 

Chalmer's  Commercial  Discourses,      -  87$ 

Cases  of  Conscience,  1  25 

Christian's  Great  Interest,  1  00 

Dick  and  Parry  on  Inspiration,      -  1  00 

Doddridge's  Sermons  to  Young  Persons,  62  £ 

Do.         on  Regeneration,         -  87A 
Do.        Rise  and  Progress  of  Religion  in  the  Soul,  1  00 

Memoirs  of  Rev.  Andrew  Fuller,           -        -  1  25 

Fuller's  Fssays,            -  75 

Memoirs  of  Col.  Gardner,  -      1  00 

Grove  on  Lord's  Supper,     -        -  75 

Gastrell's  Christian  Institutes,       -        -'         -  1  00 

Gospel  Treasury,  4  vols.  -         5  00 
Hall's  Contemplations  on  Sacred  History,  2  vols.          2  00 

Jenk's  Family  Prayers,         -  -         1  00 

Jay's  Family  Prayers,                                -         -  1  00 
Life  of  Mrs.  Isabella  Graham,  boards,  gl  25    bound,  1  50 

Do.    Rev.  Henry  Marty n,           "          1  25  "           1  50 

Do.    Mrs.  Sarah  Savage,             M             624-    "  75 

Do.    Martin  Luther,  -      1  00 

Do.    Mrs.  Harriet  Newell,               -        -  75 


4     Valuable  Books  for  sale  at  A*o.  50,  Cornhilt. 

Life  of  Rev.  Cornelius  Winter,  by  Jay,                   -  1  12| 

Do.     Mrs.  Abigail  Waters,       -  62  £ 

Do.    Mrs.  Fanny  Woodbury,  75 

Do.     Henry  Obookiah,     -  50 

Do.     Miss  Emma  Humphries,  75 

Do.    Rev.  George  Whitefield,           -        -        -  1  00 

Do.    Miss  Caroline  E.  Smelt,  62£ 

Do.     Doet.  John  Clement,          -  75 

Do.    Mr.  Isaac  P.  Anderson,  62£ 

Do.    Rev.  Claudius  Buchanan,            -        -         -  1  25 

Do.     Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Grosvenor,     -  50 

Law's  Serious  Call  to  the  Unconverted,        -        -  1  25 

Winslow's  Sketch  of  Missions,              -        -        -  l  34 

Wilberforce's  Views  of  Religion,            -        -        -  1  25 
Silliman's   Tour    through   England,   Scotland,   and 

Ireland,  3  vols.        -        -         -        -         -         -  4  50 

Do.         Do.        from  Hartford  to  Quebec,       -  2  00 

Meikle's  Solitude  Sweetened,      -        -         -        -  1  00 

Do.      Complete  Works,  4  vols,         -         -  4  50 

Remains  of  Henry  Kirke  White,  2  vols.      -        -  2  25 

Milton's  Poeucai  Works,      -  2  25 

Lord's  History  of  Missions,  2  vols.         -        -  2  25 

Mason's  Spiritual  Treasury,  2  vols.    -         -        -  2  50 

Do.      Select  Remains,       -----  50 

Do.       Self- Knowledge,     -  62* 

Watts  on  the  Mind,  complete,       -         -         -  1  25  ~ 

Emerson's  Lectures  on  the  Millennium,        -        -  87  i 

Hall  on  the  Terms  of  Christian  Communion,        -  50 
Springs  Essays  on  the  Distinguishing  Traits  of  Chris* 

tian  Character,                                      ...  75 

Watts'  Guide  to  Prayer, 75 

Do.     on  the  Terms  of  Christian  Communion,     -  62£ 
Whitefield's  Eighteen  Sermons,            -        -        -  1  00 
Griffin  on  the  Atonement,     -  1  50 
More's  Practical  Piety,         -  75 
Do.     Moral  Sketches,       -         -         -         -         -  1  50 
Do.     Complete  Works,  8  vols.            -         -         -  12  00 
Owen  on  Indwelling  Sin,     -         -  1  00 
Do.  on  Spiritual  Mindedness,  1  12£ 
Foster's  Essay  on  Popular  Ignorance,           -         -  1  12i 
Thornton's  Dialogues  on  Pure  Religion,  75 
Do.         Christian's  Consolation,  or  the  precious- 
ness  of  Christ  to  those  who  believe,  62| 
Do.      on  Repentance,     -  75 
Infant's  Progress  from  the  Valley  of  Destruction  to 

Everlasting  Glory,  by  Mrs.  Sherwood,                  -  871 
No  Fiction;  a  Narrative  founded  on  recent  and  inter 
esting  Facts,  2  vols.          -         -         -         -         -  1  50 
Mother's  Journal,  during  the  last    illness   of   her 
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